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2013 BANCROFT/NORTH HASTINGS
ELK RESEARCH AND MONITORING UPDATE
April 8, 2013
Dr. Rick Rosatte, MNR, Wildlife Research & Development Section (WRDS), Trent University,
DNA Building, Peterborough, Ontario, phone 705-755-2280, e-mail rick.rosatte@ontario.ca
To determine the estimated size of the elk population in the Bancroft/North
Hastings core elk range (a 2,500 km2 area), an aerial survey was conducted on January
23, 2013, using an EC 130 helicopter. The crew included pilot Dan Kennedy (MNR
Aviation Services), Rick Rosatte and Mike Allan (MNR Wildlife Research and
Development Section), Trevor Harris and Katrina Demers (Bancroft District MNR). The
temperature was -34C, there was ample snow cover on the ground, and the skies were
clear and sunny for the majority of the 2 flights (2 – 2.5 hr flights). A total of 174
different elk were observed. That included 104 cows, 26 bulls (12 mature), and 44 calves.
Of those elk, 35 were observed to have radio collars. Using a mark-resight model
(Ecological Methodology software), the estimated number of elk in the survey area at that
time was 499.6 (394.2-633.3) (95% Confidence Interval). It should be noted that the
number of elk could decrease depending on winter severity. This is also a pre-calving
population estimate (calves are born in late May/early June).
Forty-two percent (44/104) of the cows were accompanied by calves born during
the previous year. The bull to cow ratio acquired from the survey data was 25:100.
However, 14 of the 26 bulls that were observed were yearlings (spike horns). Using only
mature bulls, the bull to cow ratio drops to 11.5:100. This low mature bull to cow ratio is
of concern as a ratio of 20:100 (mature bulls to mature cows) is ideal to maintain
maximum productivity. However, it must be remembered that bull elk tend to congregate
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in small bull groups during the winter and are very difficult to locate during surveys
unless they are collared.
The January 2013 elk population estimate (mean=499.6) is significantly higher
(34%) than the January 2012 estimate (mean = 374 elk) (but similar to the 2011
estimate). This difference between the 2012 and 2013 estimates may be real or it may be
due to violation of the population estimator assumptions such as closed populations, no
immigration/emigration of elk etc. We realize population estimator models are not
perfect, but currently, they are the most reliable methods available to us to estimate elk
population size. Using the best science we have, our best estimate is that there are
approximately (round numbers) 400 to 600 elk within the Bancroft core elk zone. This
is within the MNR’s elk population objective for the Bancroft core elk area.
Figure 1. Rick Rosatte and Mike Alan with the EC 130 MNR helicopter ready to begin
the elk survey with perfect conditions on January 23, 2013. The pilot was Dan Kennedy.
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Within the Bancroft core elk area there are several social groups of elk. The
Lingham Lake/Queensboro elk group is doing well with 52 elk (33 cows, 6 bulls, 13
calves) being observed during the January 2013 survey (Figure 2). This is a numerical
decrease over the number (65) of elk observed during the 2012 survey. However, during
the 2013 survey, the largest group size ever recorded in Lingham (49 elk) was observed
west of Deer Rock Lake and another social group of elk south of Mt Moriah was not
located due to telemetry problems (those elk were located on the GPS collar website so
we knew they were there at the time we were flying but could not locate them as no VHF
signals were located).
Figure 2. Part of the Lingham elk social group (49 elk) that were located west of Deer
Rock Lake on January 23, 2013. Photo by Rick Rosatte.
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A cow elk group that has been previously located south of Kaladar may have
joined one of the Lingham groups (i.e. the one located west of Deer Rock Lake) as the
Kaladar cow group was not located (there are no collars on those elk). We did, however,
find 2 mature bulls south of Kaladar where the cow group traditionally winters.
The number of elk observed (43 – 28 cows, 5 bulls, 10 calves) in the Turiff elk
social group was numerically higher during January 2013 compared to the 2012 survey
(19 elk) (Figure 3). However, part of the Mephisto group may have joined the Turriff elk
group as the Mephisto/Limerick Lake elk group decreased in size with respect to
animals observed during 2013 {13 elk (9 cows, 3 bulls, 1 calf observed during 2013) vs
19 in 2012}.
Figure 3. Part of the Turriff elk social group as observed from the helicopter on January
23, 2013. Photo by Rick Rosatte.
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The New Carlow/Boulter area elk group remains fairly stable with 17 elk (9
cows, 1 bull, 7 calves) being located during the January 2013 survey. There were 17 and
23 elk observed during 2 surveys in 2012. The 2013 numbers are down substantially from
the number of elk observed in the area during 2011 (30 elk). However, this is expected as
the area is being managed to diminish elk/human conflicts on agricultural lands via a
harvest and when necessary issuance of agricultural authorizations.
The Hartsmere elk group appeared to be decreasing with 41 elk (23 cows, 8
bulls, 10 calves) being observed during January 2013 (Figure 4). During the two 2012
surveys, 47 and 44 elk were detected with 53 elk being observed in 2011. However, the
group may have splintered as winter feeding by residents is common in that area. In
addition, 6 elk (2 cows, 1 bull, 3 calves) were located just north of Hartsmere near Little
Ireland during the 2013 survey (4 elk were located in this area during the 2012 survey).
Figure 4. Part of the Hartsmere elk social group located on January 23, 2013. Photo by
Rick Rosatte.
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No elk were observed in the Madoc area during the 2013 survey; however,
residents have noted a few elk in the area during 2012, primarily in the agricultural area
north of Hwy 7 and east of Hwy 62. None of those animals are collared which makes
them extremely difficult to locate.
It should be noted that an increase or decrease in the number of elk observed
annually does not necessarily equate to a population increase or decrease as the key
determining factor in the population estimator model is the number of collared animals
observed during the survey.
During 2012, elk were reported in many areas outside of the Bancroft area core
elk zone from the Ottawa valley to Kingston to Bobcaygeon. These areas were not flown
during the survey. In addition, there are no functioning radio-collars in these areas and
the elk would have been very difficult to locate.
A total of 23 elk (10 bulls, 13 cows) were harvested during the September, 2012
Ontario elk hunt (OMNR 2013) which is restricted to the greater Bancroft area.
Aboriginal harvest included 10 elk (5 bulls 5 cows). The total harvest (including
aboriginal) represented about 7 percent of the January 2013 elk population estimate. It
appears that this level of harvest has not had a negative impact on elk population size in
the core elk area. More importantly, the number of elk in the core area remains within
MNR’s population objective of 400 to 600 elk. If needed, the harvest can be used as a
management tool to modify elk population numbers (by modifying the number of tags
allocated/year) to bring them within the population objective.
Generally, bull:cow elk ratios reported in the literature refer to mature bulls to
mature cow ratios. Mature bulls are generally those that are 3 years of age or older
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(Raedeke et al. 2002; Stalling et al., 2002). Ideally, mature bull to cow ratios should be at
least 20:100 to maximize productivity as mature bulls do the majority of breeding
(Raedeke et al. 2002). It must be noted that of the 21 bull elk harvested during the
Bancroft area September 2011/12 hunts, 18 were mature bulls (>5x5 rack). In addition,
only 12 of 26 bull elk (mature bull to cow ratio of 12:100) observed during the January
2013 elk survey were mature. Overharvest of mature bulls has been documented on
numerous occasions in the western U.S. as resulting in elk population declines due to too
few mature bulls involved in breeding (McCorquodale et al. 2011; Raedeke et al. 2002;
Stalling et al. 2002). To resolve this situation, a spike only bull hunt was initiated in
Washington. Should low mature bull ratios become an issue in the Bancroft area in the
future, consistent with the Elk Harvest Management Guidelines, consideration may be
given to introducing a selective harvest of bulls (i.e. age-based via antler class
restrictions) in order to balance the harvest of mature versus immature animals.
Mike Allan is in the process of completing his MSc at Trent University. The
focus of his study is on elk calving sites in the greater Bancroft area. A summary of that
research will appear in the 2013/14 annual elk report.
Thanks to the many people and organizations who assisted with the program over
the years, either financially or in the field. They include: the Quinte Elk Restoration
Committee; Safari Club International (Ottawa and Ontario chapters); the Ontario
Federation of Anglers and Hunters, MNR Aviation Services; MNR Wildlife Research
and Development Section (Dr. J. Chris Davies, manager), MNR Bancroft District (Vince
Ewing, manager) and MNR Peterborough District (Karen Bellamy, manager). Special
thanks to Mike Allan of the MNR Wildlife Research & Development Section for his
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assistance with the 2012/13 elk research program. The Bancroft update was reviewed by
staff from MNR Bancroft District, Wildlife Research and Development, and Wildlife
Sections.
Literature cited
McCorquodale, S., P. Wik, and P. Fowler. 2011. Elk survival and mortality causes in the
Blue Mountains of Washington. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:897-904.
OMNR. 2013. Elk hunt statistics and summary. January 17, 2013. Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources unpublished report, Bancroft, Ontario, 5pp.
Raedeke, K., J. Millspaugh, and P. Clarke. 2002. Population characteristics. PP 449-491.
In North American elk, ecology and management, D. Toweill and J. WardThomas eds., Smithsonian Institute Press, Washington.
Stalling, D., G. Wolfe, and D. Crockett. 2002. Regulating the hunt. PP 749-791. In North
American elk, ecology and management, D. Toweill and J. Ward- Thomas eds.,
Smithsonian Institute Press, Washington.
Copies of the 2013 annual elk report can be obtained from:
Rick Rosatte, Ph.D
Senior Research Scientist
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Wildlife Research & Development Section
Trent University, DNA Building
2140 East Bank Drive
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8
Phone 705 755-2280 Fax 705 755-1559, cell 705 868-8342
e-mail rick.rosatte@ontario.ca