The 2009 fourth quarter update for the Clam Lake Elk Herd Current Status: At the end of September we estimated that there were 142 elk in the herd, 73 withfunctioning radio collars. During the fourth quarter of 2009 we had 2 verified mortalities and 1 reported but unverified (a young bull) allegedly shot by hunters. Also during this quarter we had 2 break-away bull calf collars release, allowing the collars to drop off. This is a designed function of these collars to prevent harm to bulls whose necks grow fast and large. We currently estimated the elk herd at 139 elk. We currently have 71 elk with functioning radio collars.
Elk Research on the Clam Lake Herd: During the next quarter the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) will initiate a population genetics study of the Clam Lake Elk herd. In anticipation of this study, DNR began collecting hair samples from captured calves during the 2009 calving season, and will cooperate with researchers during upcoming elk trapping and calf searching
efforts. The WDNR will also provide UWSP access to archived tissue samples from known Clam Lake elk. The primary goal of this research is to provide baseline information for future planning
and management decisions regarding this herd. We are continuing to process and analyze our data from the forage quality pilot study.
Elk Health Issues: This quarter we lost 2 elk (1 vehicle collision and 1 unknown). We received a call from the Sawyer County Sherriff?s Department on the morning of November 9th. An unmarked male calf was hit on Highway 77 near the intersection with Forest Road 208. We?ve assigned elk number M265 to said calf.
Other than the trauma from being hit, he was in excellent physical condition and above average in size. He was located about mid-way between warning lights within the motorist elk crossing warning sign system. Though M265 did not have a collar himself, he would have been in a cow/calf group with several collared animals. The lights were flashing when we arrived at the scene.
On December 8th elk project staff received a mortality signal for M249 (a yearling, spike bull). The spike was found whole with no obvious trauma and was not scavenged. Staff did a field necropsy and collected tissue samples for the wildlife pathologist. At the present cause of death is unknown.
Law enforcement is investigating a bull reported shot during the gun deer season. Anyone with information regarding this shooting incident should contact Conservation Warden Susan Miller at 715-634-9658, extension 3516.
Partnerships: We continue to provide support to UWSP and USFS on their elk related projects. We participated with the Great Divide District?s field tour and open house regarding their management review of the ?Twin Ghosts Project?. We also developed elk related recommendations for the Department?s collective input into this project. They included reinforcement of the Department?s position for seasonal and permanent closures to protect elk calving and wintering areas, including a request for gating of FR 1265A from all motorized access, including snowmobiles; increase the percentage of aspen habitat in the 0-10 year age class from the current 2 percent to 15-25 percent according to the overall CNNF Forest Plan within the elk project area; requested continued maintenance of forest openings, including the ELF Line, within the Elk Range; and reiterated our
recommendation that timber harvests be limited to within a quarter to half mile from STH 77 in order to prevent elk vehicle collisions.
Elk Education and Monitoring: During this quarter we made 806 telemetry location determinations and 1,739 telemetry mortality checks.
During this quarter we gave 2 elk presentations to a total of 271 participants. We also gave 2 print and 1 radio interviews.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/elk/q4.pdf
