Elk
Identification
The elk is a large, powerful animal
with an adult weight averaging over
400 pounds. Pelage
(hair coat) is light to dark reddish
brown on the body, a darker brown on
the neck and legs, and creamy on the
large rump patch. Males bear large,
impressive antlers with six or more
tines branching from two heavy central
beams.
Range
The Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus
elaphus nelsoni) is found in the Rocky
Mountain states and in scattered locations
in the Midwest and East.
The current distribution of the
Roosevelt elk (C. e. roosevelti) is the inland
coastal areas of northern California,
Oregon, Washington, Vancouver
Island, British Columbia, and Afognak
Island, Alaska. The Tule elk (C. e.
nannodes) is found only in California
and the Manitoban elk (C. e. manitobensis)
is found in Manitoba and
Saskatchewan.
Habitat
Although elk once roamed freely into
lower elevation grasslands, they are
now found primarily close to heavily
forested areas that are dotted with
natural or human-made (clear-cut)
openings. Typically, elk use the openings
to forage for food. Elk seek the
shelter of dense stands of conifer and
deciduous trees for protection from
temperature extremes, predation, and
harassment by humans. Elk usually
spend their summers at higher, cooler
elevations. In fall, they migrate along
traditional corridors (2 to 80 miles [3 to
133 km]) long to lower elevations to
escape weather extremes and snow
depths that prohibit foraging in winter.
Some herds are not migratory, spending
the entire year within fairly welldefined
and restricted areas.
Food Habits
Elk graze on grasses and forbs, and
browse on shrubs, tree seedlings, and
saplings. Diet is variable, depending
on food availability.
Damage
Elk commonly impact agricultural
resources by competing with domestic
livestock for pasture and damaging
cereal and hay crops, ornamental
plants, orchards, and livestock fences.
Elk also damage forest resources by
feeding on seedlings and saplings of
coniferous and deciduous trees. During
winter, elk concentrate in areas
where food is available, including pastures,
winter wheat fields, and young
conifer plantations. A survey conducted
in 1989 indicated that elk caused
damage to crops in seven states,
mostly to haystacks and pastures.
Picture of an elk grazing
Elk
damage appears to be a local problem
that usually is dealt with locally.
Elk damage problems are increasing in
property developed in traditional elk
wintering ranges. This problem can be
avoided by zoning regulations that
prohibit development in such areas.
Because the elk is a highly desired
game animal, management efforts in
the last few decades have concentrated
on increasing the size of local elk
herds. As elk numbers have gradually
increased in many parts of their range,
the incidence and intensity of damage
to agriculture and forestry have also
increased.
Damage Identification
Plants browsed by elk have a characteristic
appearance. Vegetation is
grasped between the lower incisors
and the upper palate and ripped or
torn, resulting in splintered and fragmented
plant parts (Fig. 3). In contrast,
rabbits and large rodents clip vegetation
off at a sharp 45o angle (Fig. 4). Elk
damage to conifer seedlings may
appear as a thorough stripping of bark
from the upper half of the growing tip
or “lateral” (Fig. 5). This damage generally
occurs weeks after planting, usually
in early to midspring. Meadow
mice gnaw or “girdle” rather than clip
as larger rodents and rabbits do, or
browse as elk and deer do. The
appearance of damage to browsed
plants is similar for elk, deer, and
cattle, but their tracks and scats (droppings)
are easily distinguished (Fig. 6).
tent of forages. Elk dietary preferences
often overlap those of domestic and
other wild ungulates. Where both
grasses and shrubs are available, elk
may favor grasses. When snow
reaches sufficient depth to cover
grasses and shrubs, elk are forced to
rely on conifer seedlings and saplings,
and bark and twigs of deciduous trees,
such as aspen. Wind-fallen branches
and attached arboreal lichens are an
important energy source in winter.
Damage Prevention and
Control Methods
In some situations, only one technique
for controlling elk damage is necessary.
In many situations, however, the
greatest reduction and prevention of
future damage will be accomplished
by application of more than one
damage control technique.
Exclusion
 Fencing has provided relief from elk
damage where plants cannot be protected
individually, such as in hay and
grain fields, large orchards, and pastures.
Six-foot-high wovenwire
fences, topped with two strands
of smooth or barbed wire will
prevent access, but the cost is high. Some states have cost-share
programs wherein some or all of the
cost of fencing materials may be borne
by one or more agencies responsible
for managing elk damage.
Recently, high-voltage (3,500- to 7,500-
volt) electric fences have proven to be
a relatively inexpensive and effective
alternative to woven-wire fences. They
feature 8 to 11 smooth strands of
triple-galvanized, high-tensile steel
wire supported by conventional fence
post systems. Considerable
expertise is required to construct these
fences, but when built properly, they
supply. If native forages are chronically
limited, damage to crops may
persist through harvest. Much of the
damage to orchards occurs in winter
and late spring when the growing tips
of young (1- to 5-year-old) trees are
high in protein and highly digestible.
Damage may continue through late
summer at a reduced level. Conifers
are often damaged after they are
planted on clear-cut sites. Elk are
drawn to conifers when other food
supplies are limited and/or of low nutritive
quality. Elk also are attracted
during spring when conifers produce
new growth that is especially palatable
and highly digestible. Damage to haystacks
occurs during winter when
there is little food available for elk on
winter ranges. Elk damage to pastures
usually occurs during winter and during
migration periods when elk move
between summer and winter ranges.
Elk usually damage areas that border
standing timber because they have
learned from their association with humans
not to venture far out into large
openings. They also prefer riparian
zones and benches as opposed to steep
slopes, and damage is usually distributed
accordingly. Much of the damage
caused by elk is in response to low
availability of forage on winter range;
thus crops on winter range or along
migration routes are often damaged.
*The above information was taken from a University of Nebraska Web site with
express permission of Stephen Vatassel, wildlife damage project coordinator.
United Wildlife's Elk Control experts can you help you solve your elk problems.
For pricing information, coaching, and technician services, give us a call now!
|
