Movements and habitat use of female Roosevelt elk in relation to human disturbance on the Hoko and Dickey Game Management Units, Washington

Graduation Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources, Wildlife, 2006

Committee Chair Name

Richard T. Golightly

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Commercial thinning, Riparian, GIS, Washington, Herd movements, Elk, Minimum convex polygon, Calving, ANOVA, Reproductive success, Hunt, Timber seral stage, Bonferroni, Radio telemetry, Range, Herbivore, Fixed kernel, MCP, Productivity, Forage, ArcView, Forest, Ungulate, Cervus elaphus roosevelti, NCSS, Chi, Pacific Northwest, Logging, Rut, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Wildlife Management, Coefficient, Geographic information systems, Core area, Herd fidelity, Successional, Roads, Mean daily distance, Anthropogenic, Water, Harvest, Paired, Centriod, UTM, XTools, Clear cut, Pseudoreplication, Habitat, Makah, Disturbance, Succession

Abstract

Anthropogenic disturbance may alter the movements and habitat use of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti). Persistent human disturbance may ultimately lead to increased energetic demands, decreased reproductive success, a greater risk of predation, and the avoidance of habitats that would otherwise be utilized. Home range size, habitat use, movements, and herd fidelity were measured on 14 radio-collared female elk to assess the effect of logging and hunting disturbances on the Hoko and Dickey Game Management Units, Clallam County, Washington. Mean home range size was 41 8 km2 ( SE; minimum convex polygon), 43 8 km2 (95% fixed kernel), and 6 1 km2 (50% fixed kernel). The mean concentrated use area (50% fixed kernel) size was 4 1 km2 prior to the hunting season and was significantly smaller than the estimate of 8 2 km2 during the hunting season (P 0.01). Distances of elk from logging activities during the day significantly exceeded night distances (P 0.01). Day-time distances to main travel routs throughout the study area were also significantly greater than night distances during the hunting season (P 0.01). Mean daily movements were greatest during the fall and least during the calving season (P 0.01). Mean daily movements were also significantly greater during the hunting season than prior to the hunting season (P 0.01). Habitats associated with permanent sources of water, and timber seral stage 0 – 9 years were consistently used more than expected (P 0.01). Conversely, timber seral stage 21 years was used less than expected across all seasons (P 0.01), except during the hunting season when it was used equal to availability. Elk also used distances within 50 m of water more than expected (P 0.01) and distances exceeding 400 m less than expected (P 0.01). During the hunting season, distances exceeding 400 m from primary roads were used more than expected (P 0.01), and distances within 200 m were used less than expected (P 0.01). Elk used distances within 100 m of secondary roads less than expected across all seasons (P 0.01). During the hunting season, distances exceeding 600 m from paved roads were used more than expected (P 0.01), and distances within 600 m were used less than expected (P 0.01). Movements and habitat use by female elk were modified by sources of anthropogenic disturbance during this study. The long-term consequences of even-aged stand management may be minimized by implementing silvicultural alternatives such as patch-cuts (i.e. 5 acres) or uneven-aged timber management coupled with commercial thinning. Such changes may improve or create a greater interspersion of forage and cover for elk. The periodic closure of public-use roads, especially during the hunting season, may reduce sources of human disturbance. Maintaining the closure of all other roads that have traditionally prohibited the use of public-use vehicles will most likely contribute to the productivity of elk on the study area.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/6h440v76q

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