Responses of elk to a 500 kV transmission line on the North Boulder winter range, Montana
by Gerald Patrick Nelson
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Fish
and Wildlife Management
Montana State University
© Copyright by Gerald Patrick Nelson (1986)
Abstract:
This study was an attempt to determine the effects that a 500 kV powerline had on a wintering
population of elk in southwestern Montana. The positioning of the powerline corridor separated
important security and thermal cover from open grassland feeding areas. Track surveys of corridor
crossings by elk were used to determine any "turnback behavior" as a result of the powerline. Seven
24-hour telemetry sessions were conducted during the winter of 1984-85. Home ranges for 10 of the 13
elk wearing operating radio-collars could be computed and plotted for one or more of the 24-hour
sessions. Visual observations and pellet group surveys were used to augment the other methods used in
the study. No "turnback behavior" was detected from monitoring the track surveys. The absence of
corridor crossings shortly after precipitation was observed twice. The absence of corridor crossings
with no prior precipitation (4 days) was observed once. Telemetry and pellet group surveys showed the
importance of open grasslands as feeding areas and timbered, areas as security and thermal cover. The
majority of the feeding areas were south of the powerline, and the majority of the security cover was
north. Visual observations helped ascertain the importance of travel avenues between bedding and
feeding areas, especially during deep and drifting snow conditions. Elk displayed an alarm response
while crossing the corridor on 3 occasions. In January of 1985 a crossing of the power line corridor
during a snowstorm by a group of at least 14 elk was documented. Any hindrances or modifications of
the elk populations use of the winter range could not be conclusively confirmed by any of the methods
used in this study. It appears that the North Boulder elk herd uses all the winter range habitat available
at this time. RESPONSES OF ELK TO A 500 KV TRANSMISSION LINE ON THE
NORTH BOULDER WINTER RANGE, MONTANA
by
Gerald Patrick Nelson
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
of
Master of Science
in
Fish and Wildlife Management
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bozeman,Montana
March 1986
X
A/3334,
C-o p . 4 ,
ii
APPROVAL
of a thesis submitted by
Gerald Patrick Nelson
This thesis has been read by each m e m b e r of the
thesis c o m m i t t e e and has been found to be s a t i s f a c t o r y
r e g a r d i n g content, E n g l i s h usage, format, citations,
b i b l i o g r a p h i c style, and c o n s i s t e n c y , and is ready for
submission to the College of Graduate Studies.
-/Jl zd
Date
Chairperson,
Approved
T-P
for the Major Department
/*7 T'
Heed, Major Department
Date
Approved
Date
Graduate Committee
for the College of Graduate Studies
Graduate
Dean
ill
STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO USE
In p r e s e n t i n g this
thesis
in p a r tial
fulfillment
of
the r e q u i r e m e n t s for a master's degree at M o n t a n a State
University,
available
I
agree
that
the
Library
shall
ma k e
to borrowers under rules of the Library.
it
Brief
quotations from this thesis are allowable without special
permission,
provided
that
accurate
acknowledgment
of
source is m a d e .
Permission
for
extensive
quotation
from
or
r e p r o d u c t i o n of this thesis m a y be granted by m y m a j o r
pro f e s s o r ,
Libraries
or
in
when,
his/her
absence,
by
the
in the o p i n i o n of either,
use of the material
Director
the
is for scholarly purposes.
of
proposed
Any copy­
ing or use of the m a t e r i a l in this thesis for f i n a n c i a l
gain shall not be allowed without my written permission.
Signature
Date
V
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would
like
to e x p r e s s
my
thanks
to the
following
people for their c o n t i n u e d help and s u p port d u r i n g this
p r o j e c t : Drinvolving
Harold
all
D-
aspects
Picton
of
for a d v i c e
the study;
Dr-
and
guid a n c e
Robert
L- E n g ,
Dr- W i l l i a m R- Gould III, and D r . Lynn R- Irby for r e v i e w
of the m a n u s c r i p t ;
Deerlodge
National
manpower;
P a t erni
Forest
Jack
Administration
literature,
Mi k e
Lee
for
for
and
and Tina
Bonneville
funding,
and w e a t h e r and noise data;
their support,
and allowing
me
of the
coordinating equipment
the
their
Crump
and
Power
suggestions,
my p a r e n t s
for
to base my operations for
this study out of their home; my b r o t h e r Dan for his help
with
the field work;
Loren J- Flynn
for volunteering
for
the
coldest 24-hour telemetry session; Ann C- Walker
for
her confidence, understanding,
support,
and help with the
t e l e m e t r y and other f'ield w o r k for the e n t i r e t y of this
p r o ject.
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I
APPROVAL P A G E ..........................................
Page
ii
STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO U S E .......................
ill
V I T A ......
Iv
ACKN O W L E D G M E N T .........................................
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS..... ................................
vi
LIST OF T A B L E S ....... .................... '...... "......
viii
LIST OF F I G U R E S ............................
ix
A B S T R A C T ...........................
xi
INTRODUCTION...........................................
I
STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION ........................
3
L o c a t i o n ............
C I ima C e ..............................................
Physiography........................................
Geology and S o i l s .....................
History of the H e r d ................................
V e g e tation..........................................
Transmission L i n e . . ................................
Recreational and Commercial U s e . . . . ..............
3
3
8
8
9
9
IO
11
M E T H O D S .................................................
12
Direct Observations...........
Track S u r v e y ........
Tel erne t r y ...........................................
Pellet Group S u r v e y ................
Weather D a t a ........................................
Hunter S u r v e y .... ........
12
13
13
16
17
18
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .......
Climate and H a b i t a t . . ...........
Track Tra n s e c t s ................... ........ .......
19
19
24
vi i
Direct Observations ...............................
Tel e m e t r y ...........................................
Pellet Group S u r v e y s ..............................
Hunter S u r veys ................
26
29
48
51
S U M MARY .................................................
52
REFERENCES CITED
57
vi i I
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table
Table
Table
Table
I.
2.
3.
4.
M e a n m o n t h l y t e m p e r a t u r e s from
weather stations at study site,
Butte, and Boulder for the winter
of 1984-85......................
5
Snow depths from various Soil
Conservation Service snow course
sites near the study a r e a ...........
7
Track transect set crossings for
1 9 8 5 ...................................
25
Winter home ranges of radio-collared
elk for 1983, 1984, and 1985 ........
32
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
I.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Figure 12.
Map of the study site and the
surrounding a r e a .......................
4
Location of Soil Conservation
Service snow course sites near
the study a r e a ..........
6
Map showing actual and optimal
locations for telemetry stations
for the study s i t e .....................
15
Linear measuring set printout of
29 square kilometers of the study
a r e a .....................................
21
Area results from Figure 4 showing
percentages of habitat t y p e s .........
22
Linear measuring set printout of
a portion of the study area near
the power l i n e ........ ............. .
23
Distribution of all radio
relocations for the winter of
1 9 8 4-85 .................................
30
Radio relocations for elk number 5
for the winter of 1 9 8 4 - 8 5.............
34
Radio relocations for elk number 6
for the winter of 1 9 8 4 - 8 5 .............
35
Radio relocations for elk number 7
for the winter of 1 9 8 4 - 8 5.............
36
Radio relocations for elk number 9
for the winter of 1984-85 .......
37
Radio relocations for elk number 12
for the winter of 1984-85.............
38
X
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Figure 18.
Figure 19 .
Figure
20
Radio relocations for elk number
for the winter of 1984-85
14
Radio relocations for elk number
for the winter of 1984-85
15
39
40
Radio relocations for elk number 17
for the winter of 1984-85
41
Radio relocations for elk number 20
for the winter of 1984-85
42
Radio relocations for elk number 21
for the winter of 1984-85
43
Distance of radio relocations to the
power line during ]
periods of day. dusk,
d a r k , and d a w n ...
44
Radio relocations within 1000 meters
of the powerline during periods with
and without precipitation............
45
Average number of pellet groups per
50 meter transects parallel to the
power I i n e ....... .........................
50
xi
ABSTRACT
This study was an a t t e m p t to d e t e r m i n e the effects
that a 500 kV powerline had on a wintering population of
elk in southwestern Montana.
The
positioning of the
p o w e r line c o r r i d o r s e p a r a t e d i m p o r t a n t s e c u r i t y and
thermal cover from open grassland feeding areas.
Track
s u r v e y s of c o r r i d o r c r o s s i n g s by e lk w e r e u s e d to
d e t e r m i n e any " t u r n b a c k b e havior" as a result of the
powerline.
Seven 24-hour t e l e m e t r y sessions were
conducted during the winter of 19 84-8 5Home ranges for
10 of the 13 elk wearing operating radio-collars could be
c o m p u t e d and p l o t t e d for one or m o r e of the 24-hour
sessions.
Visual observations and pellet group surveys
w e r e used to a u g m e n t the other m e t h o d s used in the study.
No "turnback behavior" was detected from monitoring the
track surveys.
The absence of corridor crossings shortly
after precipitation was observed twice.
The absence of
c o r r i d o r c r o s s i n g s w i t h no prior p r e c i p i t a t i o n (4. days)
was o b s e r v e d once.
T e l e m e t r y and pellet gr o u p surveys
showed the importance of open grasslands as feeding areas
and timbered, areas as s e c u r i t y and t h e r m a l cover.
The
m a j o r i t y of the f e e d i n g a r e a s w e r e s o u t h of the
p o w e r l i n e , and the m a j o r i t y of the s e c u r i t y cover was
north.
Visual
observations
helped
ascertain
the
importance of travel avenues between bedding and feeding
areas,
e s p e c i a l l y d u r i n g d e e p and d r i f t i n g s n o w
conditions.
Elk d i s p l a y e d an a l a r m r e s p o n s e w h i l e
crossing the corridor on 3 occasions.
In January of 1985
a crossing of the power line corridor during a snowstorm
by a group of at least 14 elk was- d o c u m e n t e d .
Any
hindrances or modifications of the elk populations use of
the winter range could not be conclusively confirmed by
any of the m e t h o d s used in this study.
It a p p e a r s that
the N o r t h B o u l d e r elk herd uses all the w i n t e r range
habitat available at this time.
INTRODUCTION
The
final
stage
EIS 1979) was
to
conduct
of
the "C o l s t r i p
to construct
Project"
a 500 kilovolt
electricity
from
(Colstrip
(kV) powerline
coal-fired
generators in Eastern Montana to, consumers
electrical
in the Pacific
Northwest.
This a l t e r n a t i n g current ( a c ) t r a n s m i s s i o n
line
through
p asses
winter
range
In addition
elk (Cervus
District
location
Boulder
for
elaphus
n e l s o n ! ), this
hemionus)
passes
which
and
separates
p o r tion
winter
moose
through
s e c u r i t y cover
Since winter
elk in most
of W e s t e r n
from
a
range
northern
and
of
gam e
Divide.
winter
lower-slope
s tandpoint,
electrification
1973),
of
a
of
areas
of
f o r a g i n g areas for
climates
to
in
areas
is considered a limiting
temperate
deer
shirasi).
range
upper-slope
the
Hunting
for mu l e
(Alc e s alces
the
from
range
this
States Elk, W o r k s h o p
management
construction
big
side of the Continental
open g r a s s l a n d s w h i c h are i m p o r t a n t
elk.
River
to supporting a wintering herd of 450 to 500
p o w e r line
timbered
east
No r t h
318 a I so prov i d e s
(O d o c o i l e u s
The
on the
the
factor
(Proceedings
it is essential,
know
such
wh a t
a
effects
transmission
line would have on a wintering elk population.
2
The powerline towers and access roads were completed
in 1982.
were
The
strung
corridor
and
was
energized
c l e ared
in
and
1983.
This
c o n t i n u a t i o n and c o m p l e t i o n of a project
D e c e m b e r of 19 8 2.
the
conductors
study
that
was
a
began in
The m a i n o b j e c t i v e of the study was to
determine if the presence of the powerline had any effect
on
the
elk
p o p ulation's
use
of
the
winter
range.
I
i
began on the project in M a r c h 1984 and c o n d u c t e d my first
full field
field
1984),
and
season
seasons,
conducted
by
of 1984-85.
another
s t u dent
Two
prior
(Canfield
i n c l u d e d the p r e - e n e r g i z a t i o n w i n t e r of 1982-83
the post
s eason
in the w i n t e r
began
energization
winter of
in late D e c e m b e r
and
1983-84.
Each
concluded
whe n snow
conditions allowed elk to move off the winter range.
field
3
STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION
Location
The
study
area
is
located
in
southwestern
Montana,
about 26 k i l o m e t e r s (km) north of Butte and about 14 km
west of Boulder (Figure I).
River
constituted
area,
the
boundary.
2100
southern
meter
(m)
Creek
contour
extended
the western
to
i n c lude
the North Boulder
boundary
Basin Creek the e a s t e r n
Cottonwood
were
the
Originally
line
10
the
the
boundary,
boundary.
the
of
northern
and Little
These
square
study
boundaries
(s q ) km
of the
L o w l a n d Creek D r a i n a g e d i r e c t l y south of the study area
as some of the r a d i o - c o l l a r e d elk used this area a l m o s t
exclusively.
Clima te
Average
annual
centimeters
from
40
to
(cm)
50
cm
precipitation
(Ross
and
with
for the
Hunter
study
1976).
precipitation
area
This
is 45
ranges
increasing
as
I
elevation
minimum
increases.
temperatures
The
for
average
the
daily
period
maximum
December
1984
and
to
r
Creek
To Helena
Figure I.
I
Map of study site and the surrounding area.
5.
Table
I.
Me a n m o n t h l y t e m p e r a t u r e s (C) from w e a t h e r
stat i o n s at study site, Butte, and Boulder
for the winter of 1984-1985.
y,
Month
Avg .
Min.
Monthly
Average
-3.46
-13.88
Jan .
- .77
-11.60
not
available
na
1985
Feb.
- .02
-10.66
na
198 5
Ma r .
1.02
-11.08
na
1985
Apr .
8.78
- 3.81
na
1984
Dec.
-4.22
-20.05
-12.11
Butte
1985
Jan.
-5.83
-20.61
-13.22
Butte
1985
Feb .
-2.89
-19.89
-11.39
Butte
1985
Ma r .
5.11
-12.10
- 3.50
Boulder
1984
Dec.
- .78
-16.83
-8.77
Boulder
1985
Jan.
-1.61
-16.44
- 9.00
Boulder
1985
Feb .
-I .28
-14.77
- 6.72
Boulder
1985
Ma r •
6.49
8.71
-1.11
Site
Year .
Study
Area
Study
Area
Study
Area
Study
Area
Study
Area
Butte
1984
De c .
1985
April
1985
were
Avg .
Max.
1.11 and -10.21 C
respectively.
Table
I ldsts a c o m p a r i s o n of me a n m o n t h l y t e m p e r a t u r e s from
Butte and Boulder weather stations
Figure
Service
area.
2
shows
(SCS) snow
the
course
location
sites
in
(NOAA 1984-1985).
of
Soil
relation
Conservation
to
the
study
Table 2 lists snow depths and elevations for these
SCS sites.
Winter winds were primarily out of
the west-
6
I
■ #
B a r r y Ma»<>o* * w
* M e« P e r e e Creefc
M oulton I
Snoei C o eree S lte e
Figure 2.
Location of SCS snow course sites
near the study area.
7
Table
Site
2.
Snow, d e p t h s ( i n c h e s ) f r o m v a r i o u s Soil
Conservation Service snow course sites near
the study area.
Year
Jan.I
Copper
Avg .*
not
available
Mt n
Copper
1983
na
Mtn
Copper
I 984
na
Mtn
Copper
na
1985
Mtn
Nez Perce
Creek
Avg .*
na
Nez Perce
Creek
1983
na
Nez Perce
1984
Creek
na
Nez Perce
Creek
1985
na
Picnic
Grounds
Avg.*
Feb.I
Ma r . I
Ap r . I
31
36
41
27
33
45
24
32
44
30
36
42
23
26
26
18
20
22
16
20
32
18
24
23
19
18
1981
2088
Discontinued 1983
na
16
Moul ton
Reserv.
Moulton
Reserv.
Moulton
Reserv.
Moul ton
Reserv.
Avg .*
20
27 '
33
28
1983
19
22
26
26
1984
18
18
26
36
198 5
20
21
28
36
Berry
Meadow
Berry
Meadow
Berry
Meadow
Berry
Meadow
Avg.*
na
na
28
30
1983
na
na
22
30
1984
na
na
18
31
1985
na
na
24
30
Discontinued 1973
20
29
30
28
Uncle Sam
Avg .*
Gulch
*
E l e v •(m)
20 year average for the years
1961 to 1980 .
2347
2012
2134
1950
8
southwest.
Winds
interacting
with
topography
are
a
factor in the distribution of snow on the study area.
Physiography
The study area is a grassland region on the east
of
the Continental
prominent,
range.
Divide.
as w o u l d
Southern,
be e x p e c t e d
open
front
exposures
for a big g a m e
are
winter
Most of the drainages that terminate at the North
B o u l d e r River run north
sided gulches.
to south and have
Elevations
border
steep
range from 1764 m (5880 feet
{ft}) at the N o r t h B o u l d e r River
the northern
formed
to 2100 m (7000 ft) at
of the study area.
Geology and Soils
The study area is situated on the Boulder Batholith, a
series
of
volcanic
intrusions
material
of
(Alt
granitic
and
magma
Hyndman
and
related
1972).
Parent
m a t e r i a l of this n ature u s u a l l y w e a t h e r s to a soil with
loamy
1980).
sand
loam
texture
(Veseth
and
Montagne
The soils in this area are c l a s s i f i e d as either
Inceptisols
when
or sandy
or Alfisols, moderately sloping to very steep
occurring
on
mountains
( M o n t a g ne
et
a1.
1982).
9
The
Boulder
deposits
activity
Bathollth
such
has
as
Is a source
go l d ,
taken
silver
place
1865 (Ruppel 1963).
of v a l u a b l e
and
mineral
copper.
in and around
Mining
the area
Although no longer a major
since
land use,
some mining claims are still maintained in the region.
History of the Herd
The N o r t h B o u l d e r
elk herd p r o b a b l y o r i g i n a t e d from
elk transplanted in the Brown's Gulch area north of Butte
(Ch rest
and
Peterson
1979,
Egan
1 968).
From
1 939
to
19 6 8, 506 elk wer e rele a s e d in the area.
All of the elk
came
except
from
released
region.
showed
Yellowstone
in
1967
Data
that
which
from
National
came
Park
from
the
Big
Hole
for
27
River
tag returns and direct o b s e r v a t i o n s
some of these
elk m a d e
their w a y
do w n
the
L o w l a n d Creek d r a i n a g e and I i v e,d o n or near the present
day study area.
been present
Remnants
of n a t i v e
elk herds
m a y have
in the region but this is not verifiable.
Vegetation
Douglas
fir
(Pseu do tsuga
m e n z i e s i i ) is
timber species on the study area.
the p r i m a r y
Quaking aspen (Populus
10
C r e m u l o i d e s ) stands
moisture.
Two
occur in the gulches w i t h adequate
known
stands
ponderosa), both on dry,
on
the
study
becomes
ft)
area.
more
northern
Major
prevalent
pine
(P i n u s
southern exposures, were present
above
pine
the
(Pinus
arbitrary
contorts)
2100 m
(7000
boundary.
grass
species
JLjl£.11°.JE--EjLjL.!L) a nd
to
habitat
EEiiJ-EEEEEE)*
on the area
incl u d e d
blue bunch
spicatum) and Idaho fescue
a
JLiLiL JilJLE-L-LiL) •
grassland
Ponderosa
Lodgepole
wheatgrass (Agropyron
( f LLs JL u E. a
of
lesser
Species
inclu d e d
green
extent,
found
big
rough
as
fescue
part
sagebrush
rabbitbrush
(Festuca
of
the
(A r t e m isia
(E E E Z E E E E E E E E E
viscidiflorus), fringed sagewort (A r t emisia frigida), and
Wood's
rose
Willow
the only,
list
of
(Rosa
w oods!i).
(S a Iix sp.)
is
the dominant,
riparian species
plant
species
but certainly not
in the area.
appears
in
A more
complete
Canfield
(1984).
Transmission Line
The t r a n s m i s s i o n line has the c a p a c i t y for 5 0 0 k V of
alternating
the
study
requ i r e d
current.
area
Its route runs east
for a p p r o x i m a t e l y
for this p o w e r l i n e
16 km.
to west
The
is 42.6 m wide.
across
corr i d o r
The metal
towers
are
53.6
m
tall
and
Recreational
In addition
mentioned,
17.2
area
wide.
and Commercial Use
to the minimal
this
m
also
mining activity previously
receives
r e c r e a t i o n a l and c o m m e r c i a l demands.
the c o m m u n i t i e s
for hunting,
Three
campgrounds
picnic
Lowland
v a rie t y
of
Its p r o x i m i t y to
of Butte and B o u l d e r mak e it a popular
area
Other
a
and
fishing,
are
campi n g ,
located
camping
and
snow mobiIing.
on the North Boulder Road.
areas
are
situated
on
the
Creek Road closer to Butte.
The multiple use plan of the Deerlodge National Forest
includes
Active
l o g ging and ,grazing in a d d i t i o n to recreation.
logging occurs on the northwestern portion
of
the
study area within the boundaries of the elk winter range.
Five-hundred
and thirty-seven head of
cattle
were
grazed
in the area from mid-June to mid-October in 1985. Private
lands occurring on or adjacent
mainly
to the study area are used
for grazing and hay production.
12
METHODS
Direct Observations
Observations
were made as
often as possible at d a w n ,
dusk, and d u r i n g the d a y l i g h t hours in c o n j u n c t i o n with
other
field
activities.
Elk
were
mo s t
f e e d i n g at first light and at dusk.
the
Lowland
Cr e e k
Road
provided
v i s ible
A vantage
the
best
while
point
on
position
to
observe elk using the south and west-facing slopes of the
study area.
Elk were observed with 7 X 35 binoculars and
a 32 X s p o t t i n g
scope.
Most
daylight
observations
made at or near timbered security cover.
a n i m a l s , activity,
location,
time,
we r e
The number of
weather
c o n d i tions,
and presence of radio-collared elk were recorded for each
observation.
conjunction with
The
u se
of
direct
observations
in
track observations and biotelemetry data
aided in determining
the elk population's
daily routine.
13
■Track Survey
Six sets of three t r a n s e c t s each along the p o w e r l i n e
right-of-way were monitored while snow was on the ground
to d e t e r m i n e if elk s h o w e d any a v o i d a n c e or "turn-back"
b e h a v i o r due to the p o w e r line.
transect under
a trans e c t
were
the powerline, a transect
100 m north, and
10 0 m south of the p o w e r line.
parallel
to sho w
Each set c o n s i s t e d of a
to the line.
if elk came
All tra n s e c t s
This arrangement
within
10 0 m
was
designed
of the p o w e r line and
then turned back i n s tead of c r o s s i n g the corridor.
The
sets of transects were monitored daily after a snow storm
until tracks were observed.
Occasionally this method had
to be a b a n d o n e d until, the next sno w st o r m b e c a u s e w i n d ­
blown areas would make it impossible to determine the age
or number of individual
tracks in older snow.
Telemetry
Fifteen
( C anfield
cow elk w e r e r a d i o - c o l l a r e d , i n J a n u a r y 1983
1984)
radio-collared
molded
PVC
and
an
in M a r c h
pipe
with
additional
1984.
a
seven
cow
elk
were
Ea c h collar was made of
transmitter
sealed
inside
14
and
marked
with
an
Identifiable
symbol
or
color
combination.
Three
on
the
study
optimum
still
stationary
triangulation
site.
locations
taking
Their
for
locations
triangulation
advantage
area (Figure 3).
stations
of the
were
erected
approximated
(White
topography
In this case the optimum
1985),
of
the
while
the
study
locations were
found by using a rectangular area,
within the study area,
with
Each station consisted
the dimensions
of a T e l o n i c s
TA C - 5 precision
with
dual
AZ).
A compass
three-element
rose,
for orientation.
fixed,
2 by 4 units.
beacon
predetermined
d i r e c t i o n - f i n d ! n g array
antennae
calibrated
(Telonics
Inc.,
to true north,
Mesa,
was used
The stations were calibrated by using a
transmitter
compass
set at a k n o w n
bearing.
location
Calibration
was
and
checked
by using a compass and the angle of declination.
Two
tests we r e c o n d u c t e d
system.
In
stations
at
test,
and attempted
15 minute
I hiked
each
intervals
through
the
to test the a c c u r a c y of the
volunteers
to locate a specified
for 3 hours.
study area
Stops were made every 15 minutes
get
map.
a fix
on
the
manned
location.
During
carrying
the
three
transmitter
this
period,
the transmitter.
to allow the stations to
Each
stop was
marked
on a
The map was then sealed in an envelope and sent
to
'j
/
>
•
•
-S1*
-
,<•-
r 7 -z'
wCCf
Figure 3.
-
2i&’
Hr ^
^ ,
.
Stars show actual locations of telemetry stations. Squares
show optimal locations for stations when using a rectangular
study area with dimensions of 2 by 4 units (White 1985).
16
a n e u t r a l party.
The l o c a t i o n s from the three stations
were triangulated
and compared
on
the
map.
relocation
held
This
error
made
in
it
with
the actual
possible
the v i c i n i t y
of
to
locations
insure
the p o w e r l i n e
that
was
to near the theoretical minimum.
Seven 24-hour periods were monitored during the winter
of
1984-85.
Each
session
consisted
simultaneously a t t e m p t i n g
to locate
elk
people
every
2 hours.
Two
station when possible.
of three
all
were
An attempt
was
stations
radio-collared
assigned
made
to each
to assign at
least one person with telemetry experience to each of the
stations.
L o c a t i o n s we r e t r i a n g u l a t e d on U nited
G e o l o g i c a l Survey, o r t h o p h o t o q u a d maps.
entered
into
program
a computer
TELDAY
plotting
and
data
(Burkhalter and
file,
States
L o c a t i o n s were
and
the
computer
Lonner 1983) was
used
for
analysis.
Pellet Group Survey
Using
the methods outlined by Cole (1975),
meandered
late
throughout
s pring
groups
was
of
1984
recorded
routes
that
the study area were w a l k e d in the
and
1985.
at 0.25 mile
The
density
intervals
was ranked as being a h i g h , medium,
of
pellet
and each site
low, or no-use area.
17
The Intensity of use along these routes was compared with
surveys conducted in 1975 and 1983.
Ten
sets
of
p e llet
transects
corridor
were
consisted
of nine 50 m transcts.
the
monitored
centerline
of
the
in
along
the
the
p o w e r line
spring.
Each
One transect
powerline.
The
set
ran under
remaining
8
t r a n s e c t s , all p a r a l l e l to the line, were l o c ated north
and south of the c o r r i d o r at d i s t a n c e s
and
200
groups
m
from
the
occurring
transect
wer e
outer
within
counted.
conductors.
I m
This
on
of 15,
50,
"Fresh"
either
side
i n f o r m a t i o n was
100,
pellet
of
the
compared
with data collected in 1983 and 1984.
Weather Data
Weather and noise data were provided by the Bonneville
Power
on
Administration
the
from
study
area.
weather
monitoring
Additional
station
information
was
the weather stations in Butte and Boulder.
located
obtained
1.8
Hunter Survey
A hunter
checking
s t a t i o n was o p e r a t e d
on the study
area on the o p e n i n g day of the 1984 big gam e season, one
weekend
at mid-season,
of vehicles and
and
the final weekend.
their origin were
q u e s t i o n e d about
recorded.
the type and a m o u n t
The number
Hunters
of g a m e
were
they saw.
All gam e b r o ught t h r ough the s t a t i o n was reco r d e d and a
location
of
the kill
site was
obtained.
Hunters
were
also asked to c o m m e n t on the c l o s u r e of some of the study
area
access
roads.
19
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Climate and Habitat
Using a c l i m a t e index d e v e l o p e d by P i c t o n (1979), an
a v e r a g e study area w i n t e r w o u l d r e c eive a ranking, of O .
A milder than average winter would have a positive value,
and a h a r s h e r than a v e r a g e w i n t e r w o u l d have a n e g a t i v e
value.
The
winter
of 1983-84 had
the
winter
three
of
mildest
1982-83
had
a r a n king
a ranking of +9 making
winters
in
a
17
year
of +6,
them
the
two of
period.
The
w i n t e r of 1984-85 had a r a n king of -2, w h i c h falls w i t h i n
the limits of what would be considered a biometerological
normal
winter
(67% of the winters).
During a winter
of normal
precipitation,
boundary of the elk winter, range
(6600
ft).
Canfield
the w i n t e r
2040
m
range
(6800
for
ft).
(1984)
My
is approximately 1980 m
reported
the p e r i o d
data
the northern
the upper
November
suggested
limit
for
to M a r c h
was
the
northern
b o u n d a r y of the w i n t e r range f l u c t u a t e d b e t w e e n 1950 m
(6500
than
ft) and
2010 m (6700 ft).
This
is s l i g h t l y
less
the arbitrary 2100 m boundary (Picton et a I. 1984)
initially
chpsen
for the
restricting
elevation.
By mid-
20
April
the radio-collared
beyond
the a r b i t r a r y
elk seemed
to be at or slightly
2100 m b o u n d a r y and by the end
of
April were moving off the winter range.
Using a Linear Measuring
were
digitized
slicing".
through
Set (LMS), aerial photographs
a
process
called
"density
F i g u r e 4 s h o w s 29 sq km of the study area and
adjoining land along the Lowland Creek drainage.
from
this a n a l y s i s
portion
of
the
untimbered,
(Figure
study
"open"
5) s h o w
area
is
habitat,
and
central part of the study area.
the
timbered
power line,
gulches
Important
flood
areas
security
although
in
the
timber
moister
4.6
lie primarily
north
foraging areas
of
the
habitat,
%
is
part
Figure 6 shows
cover
does
40.9 %
of
lie s
occur
areas
north
along
south
that most
of
of
some
the
of
in the winter due
the
the
line.
including the river's
south of the power line.
powerline
the
In a closer look at the
untimbered feeding areas,
plain,
54.4 % of this
timbered
North Boulder River flood plain.
of
that
Results
a re
often
to snow
Open
unsuitable
cover,
although
this m a y vary b e t w e e n w i n t e r s and sites d e p e n d i n g upon
aspect,
topography,
precipitation.
wind
action,
a nd
amount
of
21
P p iim im iJiiN S
:::
m..Wm•*• ■
m■ •\
.
h
AlilM
BOULDER RIUER FLOOD PLAIN
TIMBERED AREAS
OPEN AREAS
SCALE I INCH=.75 MILES
Figure 4.
Linear measuring set printout
showing 29 square kilometers
of the study area.
22
I
-90
-80
-70
-60
5 H .H
FLOOD
PLAIN
TIMBER OPEN
AREAS
Figure 5.
Linear measuring set area results.
A percentage is given for each
habitat type.
23
Figure
6
.
Linear measuring set printout of a
portion of the study area near the
powerline.
Track Transects
Al I but
transect
This
one of the corridor
sets
c r o ssed
one exception
crossed
all
crossings
three
consisted
recorded
tran s e c t s
at
the
(Table
3).
of
four sets
o f tracks
that
the northern and middle
transects
of set 6.
The
tracks and f e e d i n g craters s h o w e d
down-slope
fashion,
spent
some
that the elk fed in a
time
in a young
aspen
grove o c c u r r i n g ,in a s h a l l o w gulley, and then trav e l l e d
b a c k ' u p - s l o p e to t i m b e r e d s e c u r i t y cover.
This was not
c o n s i d e r e d a t u r n b a c k (i.e. a d e c i s i o n not
to cross
the
c o r r i d o r at a d i s t a n c e of 100 m or less north or south of
the p o w e r l i n e )
occurred
within
as
the m a j o r i t y
the northern
as under the powerline
Four
instances
crossings did not
a storm,
the storm
feeding
craters
(up-slope)
transect
as well
itself.
were
which
corridor
occur on the day immediately
following
(Canfield 1984).
reported
in
same
absence
three times in the w i n t e r of 1 9 8 5.
Two of
occasions
following
the
but did occur on the second or third day after
of c r o s s i n g s
these
of
occurred
a storm.
I observed
on
the
this
first
or
In the third instance,
precipitation had fallen for the previous
s econd
days
h o w e v e r , no
4 days.
25
Table 3.
Set
Track transect set crossings for 1985.
Numbers
in t a b l e are d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e
tracks
for
individual elk unless otherwise noted.
Transect
Center
Date
North
I
2
3
Jan.9
Jan.9
Jan .9
120*
25*
7
I
2
3
J a n .30
J a n . 30
J a n .30
13
0
0
4
5
6
F e b . 15
F e b .15
F e b .15
0(b)
0
4
0(b)
0
4
9
0
0
■I
2
3
Feb.17
F e b .17
Feb.17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
I
2
3
F e b .28
Feb.28
F e b .28
10
n e (a )
0
10
n e (a )
0
10
n e (a )
0
I
2
3
Mar.2
Mar.2
Mar.2
10
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
I
2
3
M a r . 11
M a r . 11
M a r . 11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
5
M a r . 12
M a r . 12
I
2
3
Mar . 29
M a r . 29
M a r .29
n e (a )
ne( a)
0
0
0
120*
25*
no
estimate(a)
13
0
0
ne( a )
ne ( a )
0
0
0
South
I 20*
25*
9
13
0
. 0
n e (a )
n e (a ) '
0
0
0
*
Estimate made on tracks f o r m i n g a trail.
Tracks formed a trail, no estimate w a s m a d e .
(a)
(b)
Tracks crossed po.werline but missed transect .
26
Snow
the
cover d e f i n i t e l y a f f e c t e d
elk.
useless
Some
of
track
transects
whe n deep and d r i f t i n g
out other a v e n u e s
In
the
som e
available,
snow
for c r o s s i n g
instances
when
the travel habits of
other
wer e
rendered
caused elk to seek
the p o w e r l i n e
corridor.
travel
(were
routes
not
one trail was maintained through the deep snow
and very little deviation from that trail occurred.
In
some
areas
adjacent
to
the
corridor,
trails
s e v eral groups of elk w o u l d funnel out of the t i m b e r
higher
grasslands
"crossing
trails"
and
as
converge
they
passed
into
under
two
the
they then "fanned out" into many trails as elk
the
grassland.
This
groups of elk w o u l d
footing
snow
behavior
was
cross a fence,
also
or
and
three
p o w e r line;
foraged on
observed
when
especially when
on the far side of the fence was
of
obscured
the
due to
cover.
Direct Observations
D uring the spring of 1984 and the w i n t e r of 1984-85,
1,167
direct
observations
C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of actual
elk
depended
disturbed
by
on v a r y i n g
the
of
e lk
crossings
were
of the c o r r i d o r
circumstances.
observer
crossed
recorded.
the
Elk
by
that
were
corridor
with
27
little or no regard for the p o w e r l i n e .
crossed
at varying speeds
depending
absence of feeding activity.
U n d i s t u r b e d elk
upon
the
presence
or
On the morning of January
19, three elk wer e o b s e r v e d c r o s s i n g the p o w e r l i n e in a
posture
that
McCullough
was
(1969)
the c o r r i d o r
head
tilted
larger
and
over
its
of
elk,
scope.
(1951).
back.
but
All
noise
observed
No cause
for
43.7 decibels.
had
crossed
Each animal
this
three
each a n i m a l
wer e
by
crossed
time
part
c r o ssed
response,
The average,
period
of
a
the line
from a d i s t a n c e
for this alarm
than the power line, was noted.
audible
gait" reported
wi t h its neck held erect and its
These elk w e r e
spotting
to the "alarm
Murie
trotting
group
alone.
similar
with a
other
A-weighted,
(0 700 to 0830)
was
The elk could not be o b s e r v e d after they
the c o r r i d o r
The typical
24-hour
because
routine
of topography.
for
the North
Boulder
elk
herd began and ended in the timbered security cover north
of the powerline.
from
Elk were observed at dusk moving south
the t i m b e r
to the open g r a s s l a n d areas w h e r e they
p r e s u m a b l y fed for m o s t of the night.
observed
feeding up-slope
d a y , in addition
some
f e e ding
smaller
to the resting
and
parks
toward
movement
and
open
the timber.
and
of
During
ruminating
occurred
areas
At d a w n elk were
in and
the
the
activity,
a round
the
predominantly
28
fore s t e d
h a b itat north of the p o w e r line.
At dusk this
cycle began again.
Variations observed
weather
conditions,
in this routine were attributed to
time
of
the
or human activity in the area.
year
(i.e.
late
winter),
During evenings with cold
and w i n d y or s n o w y and w i n d y condit i o n s ,
elk w o u l d not
often move out into the open areas, and those
feeding in
open grassland habitat would retreat to smaller,
patches
In
of
March
timber
elk
grasslands
On
in response
were
the
afternoon
of
snowstorm,
I observed
feeding
two
on
powerline,
hillside
elk
to advancing storm
occasionally
and Boulder River
points
observed
0.3
respectively.
on
fronts.
the
open
flood plain as late as 0900.
January
two
isolated
29,
groups
and
The
during
of
0.5
elk
km
group
a
li g h t
(14
and
30)
south
of
the
of
14
was
on
that was c o m m o n l y used as a f e e ding area,
often
crossed
track
tran s e c t
set. I to
reach
a
and
this
area.
It had been snowing lightly but steadily from 1630
until
past
weighted,
this
date
1715
mean
was
when
audible
about
50
the
noise
elk
were
caused
decibels.
T he
A-
by the
powerline
on
Unless
the
bedded
south of the p o w e r line e a r l i e r
would
have
snowstorm.
had
A
to
check
cross
of
the
tran s e c t
sighted.
in the day,
corridor
set
elk
I
on
had
they
during
January
the
30
confirmed
that
this group of elk moved out of the timber
north of the p o w e r l i n e , crossed the c o r r i d o r and moved
onto
the
open
hillside
to feed.
Thirteen
discernable
sets of tracks were recorded crossing all three transects
of set
I.
The area under
the power line that was
by the elk is a p o t e n t i a l
spring,
feeding
but on this date,
available due to snow
area
in the
a minimal amount
crossed
fall
and
of forage was
cover.
Telemetry
By the w i n t e r of 1984-85,
radio-collared
the signals from 13 of the
elk could be received
from
one or more of
the three stationary triangulation stations.
animals
were
located during
The same 13
an aerial survey conduc ted in
mid-February.
A visual o b s e r v a t i o n of an elk w e a r i n g a
non-functional
c ollar was also m a d e at this time.
1985,
317
shows
a g e n e r a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of r a d i o - c o l l a r e d elk for
the
telemetry
winter
collared
of
elk
relocations
1984-85.
for
this
s t a n d a r d d i a m e t e r of 5.9
the
diameter
of
a
The
total
winter
km.
circle
geographic activity center.
were
was
compiled.
For
area
84.3
used
sq
Figure
by
km
7
radiowit h
a
The stan d a r d d i a m e t e r is
which
is
centered
on
the
This circle encloses 68 % of
Scale
Figure ?.
Icm
Distribution of all radio relocations
for the winter of 1 984-85.
31
the relocations. Ten of the a n i m a l s w e r e located on a map
a m i n i m u m of four ti m e s for a given 2 4 - hour period.
is
the
minimum
number
of
relocations
per
time
requ i r e d by the c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m to c o m p u t e
ho m e
range.
In
1985
the
average
area
period for 10 a n i m a l s was 0.8 sq km wit h
to 2.6 sq km.
period
and plot a
for
a
This
a
24-hour
range of 0.03
This is, approximately 1/3 the average area
C a n f i e l d (1984) r e p o r t e d for the w i n t e r s of 1 9 8 2 - 8 3 and
1983- 84.
The average cumulative winter home range for 10
elk in 1985 was an area of 6.8 sq km with a range of 1.1
to 14.8
sq km
The a v e r a g e
and a m e a n
cumulative
standard
winter
diameter
home
range
of 2.9
for
km.
the five
animals with the most relocations (more than 30 each) was
an area
and
of 10.7 sq km w i t h a range of 4.3 to 14.8 sq km
a mean
standard
diameter
of
2.9 km.
In
1983
an
a v e rage w i n t e r h o m e range of 22.4 sq km w i t h a range of
12.5 to 35 sq km and a m e a n s t a n d a r d d i a m e t e r of 4.0 km
was reported.
23.5 sq km
standard
lists
In 1984 the average
with
a range
diameter
of
winter home
range was
of 14 to 44.3 sq km and a mean
3.8 km
( C anfield
1984).
Table
4
the h o m e ranges from the p r e v i o u s s e a sons and the
w i n t e r of 1984-85. The r e d u c t i o n in hom e range size for
1984- 85 could
snow cover.
be a result of closer
to normal amounts of
32
Table 4.
Elk
Winter home ranges of radio-collared elk
for 1983, 1984, and 1985.
Locations
for 1 9 8 3 and 198 4 are f r o m C a n f i e l d
(1984).
1983
Ma x .
SD
Area
Fixes
1984
Max .
SD
Area
Fixe s
1985
Max .
SD
Area
13.8
Fixes
5
3.2
17.4
52
2.8
14.0
62
3.3 ■
31 .
6
2.8
13.0
63
3.7
33.0
47
I .9
4 .I
18
7
3.6
34.0
74
3.7
23.2
64
1 .7
4.3
62
9
3 .2
18.7
64
3.7
29.9
50
3.3
10 . I
47
12
4 .I
22.6
74
4.9
44.3
52
3.4
14.8
56
14
3.6
17.6
67
3.6
. 17.5
61
2.8
4.0
16
15
3.6
12.5
62
3.6
33.4
75
2.6
10.5
55
17
NA( a )
NA
1 .8
I .I
7
20
NA
NA
4.2
4.0
8
21
NA
NA
3.5
I .3
6
SD=the standard diameter measured
in kilometers.
Maximum area is measured
in square kilometers.
(a) Not available.
elk were collared in March 1984.
These
33
Elk
that used
routinely
the
showed
powerline.
central
port!on
relocations
of the study a re a
north
and
south
of
the
The majority of these home range plots showed
core areas of a c t i v i t y north and south of the p o w e r line
with some
relocations
Figure 18
s h o w s the d i s t a n c e fr o m the p o w e r l i n e during
d a ylight,
dusk,
relocations
at or near the line (Figures 8-17).
dark,
and daw n
occurring
within
time
periods
1000 m of
the
for radio
p o w e r line.
Figure 19 shows the distance from the power line for these
same relocations with and without precipitation.
Location
of winter home
ranges
for radio-collared
were f a i r l y c o n s t a n t for all three winters.
10
to
12
s q km
that
was
used
each
winter
An area of
showed
fidelity, between winters and could be identified
radio-collared
reductions
these
animal.
in h o m e
The
range
major
took place
elk
high
for each
expansions
on
the
and
f r i nges
of
areas.
In
1985
some
of
the
radio-collared
elk
travelled
back and forth two or three t i m e s from the c e n t r a l part
of the study area near the p o w e r line to the L o w l a n d Creek
drainage
North
south of the powerline
Boulder
15) had used
previous
River.
summer
summer
on the other side of the
Three of these elk (Nos.
range northeast
in the
Basin
12,14,
and
of the powerline
the
Cr e e k and Red Rock
Creek
34
+
Scale Icm =: 0.9km
Figure 8.
Radio relocations for elk number 5
for the winter of 1984-85.
35
Scale I c m — 0.9km
Figure 9.
Radio relocations for elk number 6
for the winter of 1984-85. Polygon
encloses the home range computed
from these relocations.
36
Scale Icm = O - S k m
Fi g u r e 10.
Radio r e l o c a t i o n s f o r elk n u m b e r 7
f o r the w i n t e r of 1984-85.
Polygon
encloses the home range c o m p u t e d
f r o m these relocations.
37
Scale I cm
Figure 11.
Radio relocations for elk number 9
for the winter of 1984-85. Polygon
encloses the home range computed
from these relocations.
38
+
+ *,
Scale Icm
Figure 12.
0.9 k m
Radio relocations for elk number 12
for the winter of 1984-85. Polygon
encloses the home range computed
from these relocations.
I
39
Scale I c m —
Figure 13.
0.9km
Radio relocations for elk number I4
for the winter of 1984-85. Polygon
encloses the home range computed
from these relocations.
40
Scale Icm —
Figure I4.
0.9km
Radio relocations for elk number 15
for the winter of 1984-85. Polygon
encloses the home range computed
from these relocations.
Al
Scale Icm —
Figure 15.
0.9km
Radio relocations for elk number 17
for the winter of 1984-85. Polygon
encloses the home range computed
from these relocations.
42
Figure
16.
Radio relocations for elk number 20
for the winter of 1984-85.
Scale I cm =
Figure 17.
0.9km
Radio relocations for elk number 2l
for the winter of 1984-85. Polygon
encloses the home range computed
from these relocations.
number of elk relocations
44
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000 1 1OO
distance from powerline (m)
Figure 18.
Distance of radio relocations to the
powerline during day, dusk, dark, and
dawn periods for the winter of 1985.
number of elk relocations
45
no precipitation
precipitation
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
I I f
900
1000
HOO
distance from powerline (m)
Figure 19.
Radio relocations within 1000 meters
of the powerline during periods with
and without precipitation during the
winter of 1985.
46
drainages near the Continental Divide.
we r e
located
along
the L o w l a n d
M a r c h and m i d - A p r i l in 1985.
These same elk
Creek
drainage
in late
Th e s e three a n i m a l s began
the w i n t e r in the c entral part of the study area near the
powerline.
Creek
area.
central
late
By early F e b r u a r y they w e r e in the L o w l a n d
In
late
February
they
were
part of the study area near
March
they
were
back
along
in
the
the p o w e r l i n e .
In
the
back
Lowland
Creek
d r a i n a g e and we r e located there again in m i d - April.
these elk remained
would
have
to cross
dirt road,
the
to their 1984 summer
the North B o u l d e r
and the p o w e r l i n e
spring.
important
corridor
loyal
Such
in
River,
the
in
travel
presence
time
could
or
they
the' main
at least one m o r e
variability
component
range
If
in
be
an
absence
of
crossings.
Three elk (Nos. 8, 12, and 15) s h o w e d a m a j o r change
in s u m m e r
occupied
range use.
summer
In the s u m m e r
range
south
of
of 1983,
the
study
Lowland Creek drainage area near Elk Park.
of 1984,
these elk w e r e
located n o r t h e a s t
all
area
three
in
the
In the summer
of the study
area in the upper reaches of both the Basin Creek and Red
Rock
Creek drainages.
remain
loyal
locate
elk
to
their
number
Numbers
winter
12 and 15 did, however,
range.
8 in the w i n t e r
I was
unable
of 1 984-85.
to
..Of the
remaining
1984,
thirteen elk that were located in the summer of
seven
they
did
animals
in 1983,
occupied
the
same
and
three
wer e
1984 so no c o m p a r i s o n
could
be made.
summer
collared
range
that
in M a r c h
Of the seven
that were collared in March of 1984 (Canfield 1984),
returned
area
in
winter
to the s a m e
1985,
and
of
elk
four
w i n t e r range in the Pole M o u n t a i n
three
were
not
located
d uring
the
of 1984-85.
A large
number
of
c o n f l i c t i n g signals,
relocations
were
not
used
i n s u f f i c i e n t bearings,
triangles
that were too large to be accurate.
was
to induce
felt
the b i g gest
t e l e m e t r y relocations.
source
to
or plotted
Topography
error
in
the
On the bear i n g s that wer e used,
error was s i m i l a r in m a g n i t u d e
a I . (1 985).
of
due
Relocations
to that
along
the
found by Lee et
p o w e r line
s howed
m i n i m a l error. For six test r e l o c a t i o n s w i t h i n 350 m of
the
line,
the
Interference
average
from
the
north-south
p o w e r line
m a j o r f actor in t e l e m e t r y error.
km/hr
did
not
seem
to
affect
was
error
not
was
50
m.
considered
a
W i n d s in excess of 18
telemetry
error.
Radio
f r e q u e n c y noise at 74.5 MHz and p r e c i p i t a t i o n e x p l a i n e d
45 p e r cent
good
null
bearing.
of the v a r i a t i o n
signal
essential
in the a b i l i t y
to
determining
to find
an
the
acceptable
48
Pellet Group Surveys
R e l a t i v e i n t e n s i t y of use, m e a s u r e d by C o l e ’s (1975)
pellet
The
group
steeper,
survey
methods,
south-facing
was
influenced
slopes
along
by
climate.
the North Boulder
Road r e c e i v e d m o r e i n t ense use in 1985 than they did in
the previous
tougher
areas
two winters.
foraging
elsewhere
cover.
conditions
from
was
and
on the study
The results
conducted
This
probably a result
less
site
access
due
was
climatically
This r a n k i n g falls
does
snow
group surveys
to the results from data
c o l l e c t e d in 1975 by the Forest Service.
1974-75
foraging
to g r e a t e r
the Cole pellet
in 1985 are s i m i l a r
to
of
ranked
in the n o r m a l
The w i n t e r of
(Piet on
1979)
as
— 3.
range for s e v e r i t y as
the winter of 1984-85.
Data
from
the
pellet
group
transects
that
paralleled
the p o w e r l i n e could have been a f f e c t e d by the closer to
normal
sno w
cattle
use
cover
the
that
e x i sted
previous
in the w i n t e r
summer,
the
of
powerline,
1985,
or
a
c o m b i n a t i o n of all three. Areas that were k n o w n to have
higher
receive
c ounts
as
transects
for
much
showed
the
use
som e
previous
by
elk
in
reduction
two
1985.
winters
The
in pellet
did
not
majority
groups
of
each
49
season (Figure 20).
negatively
on
the
areas
affect
the
parallel
that
C attle use in the s u m m e r s e e m e d to
number
transects
would
be
of
pellet
groups
( C anfield
heavily
occurring
1984).
g razed
by
The
cat tip
same
in
the
summer have a tendency to accumulate snow cover during an
a v e r a g e winter.
This c o m b i n a t i o n of l i v e s t o c k use and
snow
to discourage
cover
tends
areas and forces
them
more accessible.
from
the
western
As a result
on
the
aspects.
grazing
to seek out areas
powerline
concentrate
elk from
in
a
the elk would
southerly
steeper
On
70
where
slopes
% of
the
in these
forage
move
farther
direction
with
and
southern
transects,
is
a
and
ma j o r
r e d u c t i o n (50 % or more) in the n u m b e r of p ellet groups
occurred
between
1984 and 1985.
also
have
along
the
the
This
affected
two
post-energization
sugg e s t s
the
corridor.
of
that the p o w e r l i n e might
distribution
Data
seasons
collected
of
in
p ellet
1983
groups
(Canfield
1984) from these pellet
t r a n s e c t s is biased (Figure 20)
due
of pellet
to an a c c u m u l a t i o n
winters
before this study began.
groups
from
Unfortunately,
unable
to d i s t i n g u i s h
between
the effects
cover,
cattle
and
powerline
grazing,
the
previous
of
when
I was
the snow
examining
pellet group surveys which are close to the powerline.
average * of peflet groups / 5 0 m
50
NORTH
SOUTH
distance from powerflne (m)
Figure 20.
Average number of pellet groups
per 50 meter transects parallel
to the powerline.
51
Hunter Surveys
D u r i n g the 5 days in w h i c h a h u n t e r c h e c k i n g station
was
manned
these,
were
on the study area,
checked.
138 w e r e from Butte, 24 w e r e from Helena,
from
responses
various
closures,
other
communities.
to the road c l o sure q u e s t i o n s
Sixty-two
%
of
the
23 % were
% were indifferent.
during
199 cars were
the
survey.
radio-collar,
functioning.
responses
against
were
and 37
Eighty-one
wer e
in
Of
recorded.
favor
the existing closures
of
the
and 15
Nineteen elk carcasses were examined
One
however
elk
the
examined
collar
was
was
wearing
no
a
longer
52
SUMMARY
A substantial
has
p o r t i o n of the North B o u l d e r
the p o t e n t i a l
powerline
December
twice
to be d i r e c t l y exposed
a day
on
to late April.
any
Thus
given
beneficial
No
or detrimental
"turnback
monitoring
no
either,
of well-used
sets
transects
The
of
important
could
be
early
becomes
"To
caused
is
inferred
she
trails
the
data
tha t
from
the
Canfield (1984) found
although
crossing
point
from
to the population?".
b e havior"
presence
day
and are these effects
of the track transects.
"turnbacks"
to the 500 k V
the q u e s t i o n
what degree are the elk affected,
elk herd
elk
felt
on two
to
be
were
that
the
of the four
too
variable.
crossing
the
powerline corridor instead of turning back.
The
lack
of
corridor
crossings
following a storm was offered as being
avoiding
during
for
the p o w e r line
due
weather
phenomenon,
affecting
conditions,
Inclement
should
weather
such
both
not
1984).
as
elk
be
should
or
two
the result
to i n c r e a s e d
precipitation (Canfield
this
one
day s
of elk
audible
noise
Other explanations
travel
variability
habits
a nd
and
tracking
discounted.
be
considered
a factor
when
53
crying
to
during
explain
the
absence
the 48 hour period
o b s e r v e d s e v eral
after
corridor
cros s i n g s
precipitation.
Elk were
times s e e king s h e l t e r or u n w i l l i n g to
forego shelter during cold and
weather
of
conditions.
The
windy,
winter
of
or snowy and
1985
had
windy
a greater
potential for windchill effects than did the two previous
winters
due
conditions
severe
to
colder
both before
enough
to
(Clutton-Brock
temperatures.
and
cause
et
after
elk
a 1.
to
198 2,
The
winter
seek
weather
storms
thermal
Skovlin
m ay
be
shelter
1982).
Low
barometric pressure disrupted daily routines of Roosevelt
elk and
1962),
caused
while
a h igher
tule
elk
windy days and quite
days
(McCullough
degree
acted
relaxed
of
"wild
nervousness
(Harper
and nervous"
and unconcerned
during
during calm
1969).
In the w i n t e r of 1984-85, a c r o s s i n g of the corridor
by elk d u r i n g
a snowstorm
was
documented.
The a u d i b l e
noise (Lee and Griffi t.h 1978) p r o d u c e d by the p o w e r line
during
group
precipitation
of
elk
preferred
feeding
Canfield
did
not
these
from
was
not
crossing
sufficient
the
to
corridor
prevent
and
this
reaching
areas.
(1984) observed four occasions in which tracks
cross
transects
instances
along
occurred
one
the
or
po w e r l i n e .
two
days
All
of
following
54
precipitation.
I observed
under
weather
similar
Conversely,
the absence
with no previous
four
days
suggests
caused
was
that
of tracks
also
observed
the absence
other
a snowstorm
previous
hypothesis
of
on
track
two
crossing
crossings
occasions.
the power line
precipitation having fallen for at least
by something
without
of
constraints
caused by precipitation.
d u ring
an absence
and
of
on
one
occasion.
powerline
crossings
than,
or in addition
Th i s
may
to,
be
noise
A confirmed powerline crossing
the a b s e n c e
precipitation
audible
noise
of track
do
not
during
cro s s i n g s
support
the
precipitation
d i s c o u r a g i n g elk fr o m c r o s s i n g the p o w e r l i n e (Canfield
1984).
If
occurrences
a conditional
response
do not necessarily refute
Monitoring
the
sets
of track
is
involved,
these
this hypothesis.
transects
gave
me
the
impression that elk regarded the powerline as an pbstacle
to be crossed, m u c h as they w o u l d a fence.
to d e t e r m i n e
if the
obstacle
becomes
a barrier
c e r t a i n t i m e s (e.g. d u r i n g p r e c i p i t a t i o n ) ,
behavior
patterns
Measuring
crossing
study,
the
the
of
the
amount
powerline
however
elk
I was unable
population
c h a n g i n g the
(Geist
of
s tress
experienced
was
b e yond
the
observing
som e
limits
crossings
during
in
1982).
by
of
which
elk
this
elk
showed an alarm response indicated that in some cases elk
55
considered
the powerline a threat (McCullough 1969,
Murie
1951).
Telemetry
importance
and
pellet
group
s u r veys
both
showed
the
of c o r e .activity areas north and south of
the
powerline.
Direct observations documented the importance
of
a v e nues
travel
avenues
between
these
core
areas.
These
w e r e g e n e r a l l y u n d e r r a t e d using other methods.
The m a j o r i t y of the travel
routes
crossed
a segment
to date
suggest
that
of
the powerline at some point.
The
observations
made
using all parts of the. winter
terrain,
snow
disturbance
cover,
that
the powerline,
was
range within
available
present
although
the limits
forage,
before
the
elk are
a nd
of
human
construction
of
there may be some differences in
intensity of use for some areas .
During
the
1984
big
game
Hunters’ comments in favor of the road closures
Hunters
not
closures
in
made
and
favor
it
less
of
game
the
by
harassment
road
difficult
to
the
road
Service.
hunters
enforced
some
were
less
and
season,
closures
cited
implemented
hunting
as
closures
Forest
benefits.
felt
retrieve
that
game,
d i s c r i m i n a t e d a g a i n s t h u n t e r s that w e r e older and less
physically
number
able,
of elk
and
that
made
would
it
impossible
reduce
to
kill
the p o p u l a t i o n
the
to the
56
desired
level.
A majority
(69
%)
of
the
hunters
that
came through the checking station were from Butte.
No
beneficial
documented.
effects
U nlike
the
for
the
study
by
areas are not at a p r e m i u m
range.
that
the timbered
population
Goodwin
(1975),
were
open
on the North B o u l d e r w i n t e r
The p o w e r l i n e c o r r i d o r
separates
elk
is situ a t e d
in a m a n n e r
security cover from
the open
feeding areas, but it does not create new feeding habitat
for the elk.
RE F E R E N C E S ■CITED
58
REFERENCES CITED
Alt,
D.Dk and' D .W . Hynd m a n .
the n o r t h e r n rookies.
Missoula, MT.
280 pp.
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