Calgary and Canmore Areas Aerial Winter Elk Survey 2008

Calgary and Canmore Areas Aerial Winter Elk Survey 2008 By Jon T. Jorgenson Senior Wildlife Biologist Canmore and Michael Jokinen Biologist Alberta Conservation Association May 2008 Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife Division Canmore

PERMISSION TO QUOTE This report contains preliminary surveys results and interpretations that may be subject to future revisions. To prevent the issuance of misleading information, persons must first obtain permission from the Area Manager of the Southern Rockies Area or the Director of the Wildlife before quoting from this report, citing in bibliographies or using it in any other possible form. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would like to thank P. Young, R. Dipolo, J. Wieliczko, and M. Fontana for assistance as observers during the 2008 survey. Pilots, T. Cooper, J. Lewis and S. Walsh of Alpine Helicopters flew the helicopters with great skill and enabled the survey to be completed safely and accurately. ABSTRACT Aerial elk surveys were initiated in 1974 to gain more information about the status and distribution of elk herds using mountainous areas of Kananaskis Country and the foothills just west of Calgary. Traditional elk wintering areas within Wildlife Management Units (WMU s) 310, 312, 314, 404, 406, 408 and 410 were surveyed by helicopter on January 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and February 1, 2008. A total of 2441 elk were found in the WMU s including 67 in Bow Valley Provincial Park (BVPP). The total elk count included 1175 without antler (WOA) (calves and cows), 114 spike bulls, 89 branch antlered bulls, 94 trophy bulls (5 pts +) and another 969 unclassified elk. The sex ratio was 46 bulls/100 WOA and 14 trophy bulls/100 WOA. A calf/100 cows ratio of 16 could be determined from the classified portion of the surveyed elk. This is the highest number of elk observed on any of the surveys conducted since the early 1980 s, however, incomplete coverage of some areas during some of the earlier surveys makes comparisons difficult. Significant increases in elk numbers were observed in WMU s 312 and 314. i

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction... 1 Study area and methods... 1 Results and Discussion... 2 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of winter elk observations by WMU, 2008... 2 Table 2. Comparisons of elk numbers and bull ratios observed during the Canmore area winter surveys (1980-2008)... 5 Table 3. Comparison of elk numbers and bull ratios over the last 13 surveys for WMU 312, separating out the Jumpingpound herd, 1980-2008... 6 Table 4. Number of antlerless elk harvested in WMU 312, 1995-2006... 7 Table 5. Summary of elk numbers in the Highwood elk herd, 1974-2008... 9 Table 6. Elk observations during aerial surveys in the Kananaskis Valley, 1978-2008... 11 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1. Checkpoint location and elk classification during the 2008 Calgary and Canmore winter elk surveys... 12 Appendix 2. Showing elk observation locations by WMU (incl. observations bordering WMU) during 2008 winter surveys... 15 ii

Introduction In 1974, a systematic winter aerial survey for elk within individual Wildlife Management Units (WMU) was initiated in the Canmore and Calgary areas. Since this time, evident winter elk range has been described, bringing to the light a better understanding of the specie. The main objective of this project is to acquire continuing empirical field data that can be used to reflect the winter spatial distribution, the post hunt composition and number of elk within an area. Consistent data has been collected over the years giving us the possibility to proceed to trend comparisons of areas well known as elk winter range within each WMU surveyed. The obtained information is employed to provide wildlife management recommendations within defined areas, thus including land-use decisions and the generation of permits. Study area and methods The area of study integrates the Bow River, continues south of the Highwood River, and cover mountainous areas of Kananaskis Country and foothills just west of Calgary. More specifically, WMU s 310, 312, 314, 406, 408, and 410, which have continually been surveyed, were subjected for survey of this present year, including the area of Bow Valley Provincial Park (BVPP). Aerial observations were conducted on January 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, 2008. A Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter was used for this study, employing a navigator/observer in the front seat complete with two observers in the back seat. Elk sightings were recorded on a 1:250 000 topographic scale map and a hand held Garmin Legend Cx GPS unit was utilised to log observation points and record UTM coordinates. All pertinent data was recorded onto survey sheets and was afterwards condensed into table format (Appendix 1). All elk groups were tallied and classified as cows or calves (where possible) or as bull elk with spike, branch or trophy (5 or more points) antlers. Canon Image Stabilizer binoculars were used for class identification: photographs were taken of large elk groups to later serve in total counts. Graphics identifying all observation points within the surveyed areas were produced employing ArcGIS 9.2 (Appendix 2). 1

The flight path followed a predetermined trajectory designed to cover traditional winter elk ranges. Parallel transects were flown in some foothill ranges in order to cover the area more thoroughly because the elk tend to be more widely dispersed in these areas and more difficult to find. Search efforts were mostly concentred in areas with visible elk tracks in the snow. Survey attempts were only produced under optimal conditions, i.e. fresh snow and quiet winds. Results and Discussion A total of 32.9 flight hours were used for the surveys, including travelling time from fuel base to fuel cache. Survey conditions were considered good to excellent with complete snow cover and cold temperatures, except for January 23 rd when the temperature rose to 0 o C and snow cover disappeared from some south-facing slopes. A total of 2441 elk were observed on all the winter ranges (Table 1). All traditional winter ranges were flown during the 2008 surveys. WMU 312 contained the highest number of elk at just less than 1000. This is the greatest number of elk observed in this unit. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park had the least elk observed, however, this park is only superficially surveyed therefore it is not considered a total count. Table 1. Summary of winter elk observations by WMU, 2008 Number of elk observed Sex ratio Calves per WMU Total Cows Calves U/C WOA Spike Branch Trophy U/C Bulls U/C Elk Bulls/100 Trophy/100 100 cows 310 324 98 13 0 11 6 6 0 190 21 5 13 312 979 149 44 164 52 34 24 0 512 31 7 29 314 293 34 0 227 19 9 4 0 0 12 2 n/a 404 254 114 18 28 9 11 19 5 50 28 12 16 406 171 101 15 0 12 11 17 0 15 34 15 15 408 187 133 15 0 11 9 9 0 10 20 6 11 410 160 16 - - 0 9 15 12 108 n/a n/a n/a BVPP* 67 - - - - - - - 67 n/a n/a n/a PLPP* 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a n/a Totals 2441 651 105 419 114 89 94 17 952 46 14 16 * only partially surveyed n/a = not available due to poor sample WOA = without antlers 2

Trends in elk numbers for each WMU can be more readily evaluated from Table 2 which shows the historical numbers of elk observed in those units beginning in 1980. The majority of WMU s were surveyed during each of the survey years, however, some WMU s could not be surveyed completely or were not surveyed at all some years due to lack of aircraft availability, poor weather conditions, loss of adequate survey conditions or funding limitations. There is considerable variation in elk numbers observed in each of the WMU s (Table 2). This makes it difficult to infer changes in elk populations from one survey to the next and complicates interpretation of trends over time. Not all units are equal in their reliability of finding elk. For example, units 312, 314, and 406 are very large units where elk can be found widely distributed anywhere throughout the unit. Survey budgets do not allow for the entire unit to be adequately surveyed in a given survey year. Other units such as 310, 404, 408 and 410 are smaller units and elk distribution is more consistent from year to year, hence one feels more confident that a majority of the elk that are present are being observed. WMU s 310 and 312 Increasing trends in elk numbers appear evident in WMU s 310 and 312. WMU 310 shows several rising and falling trends in elk numbers since the early 1970 s. Elk numbers declined by about 50% from their highs in the early 1980 s and appear to have remained relatively stable during the 1990 s at around 150. By 2002, however, elk numbers began to increase to over 250 and during this survey (2008), 324 were observed. Bull/antlerless ratios have also increased in WMU 310 but there has been no discernable change in the trophy bull/antlerless ratio (Table 2). Calf/cow ratios appear low in both 310 and 312, however, a proportionally large number of elk in each unit were not classified. Unit 312 is a difficult unit to reliably survey especially for a large central portion around the Bragg Creek Priddis areas. This is a large area that cannot be completely surveyed and the elk can be widely dispersed. In 2008, several herds were observed near Priddis, yet these groups have not always been found during earlier surveys. The north part of WMU 312 around Jumpingpound creek and the southern portions around Turner Valley and into the Highwood can be surveyed with a greater degree of reliability. 3

Table 2. Comparisons of elk numbers and bull ratios observed during the Canmore area winter surveys (1980-2008) WMU YEAR 1980 1981 1982 1986 1987 1988 (Jan) 1988 (Feb) 1988 (Mar) 1989 1991 1993 (Jan) 1993 (Mar) 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2005 2008 310 Total elk 402 331 343 210 174 ns ns ns 195 ns 137 ns ns 121 115 Bulls/100 WOA 7 7 11 13 4 11 10 4 5 Trophy bulls/100 WOA 2 2 3 3 2 1 1 4 0 312 Total elk 401 265 335 354 265 ns ns ns 442 60a 415 ns ns 719 538 Bulls/100 WOA 9 2 8 10 11 6 2 15 12 16 Trophy bulls/100 WOA 2 0 2 2 2 1 n/a 2 3 5 173 267 252 ns 324 34 9 22 21 16 4 8 5 799 836 813 ns 979 21 11 11 31 7 3 3 7 314 Total elk Included as part of the Calgary/Canmore area elk survey in 1996 339 ns 251 ns 93 ns 293 Bulls/100 WOA 7 180 0 12 Trophy bulls/100 WOA 0 20 0 2 404 Total elk 423 ns 270 202 368 191 253 273 351 291 184 241 203 289 269 Bulls/100 WOA 14 ns 15 17 8 7 5 13 13 9 13 6 8 16 13 Trophy bulls/100 WOA 5 3 3 2 n/c n/c n/c 3 5 7 2 5 6 6 336 301 ns 292 254 14 14 21 28 6 7 6 12 406 Total elk 254 ns 479 299 197 ns ns ns 172 113a 157 ns ns 222 127 122 49 52 ns 171 Bulls/100 WOA 12 15 17 18 17 8 24 25 51 39 227 8 34 Trophy bulls/100 WOA 1 2 6 7 6 0 9 9 37 27 147 2 15 408 Total elk 101 ns 104 22 92 ns ns ns 159 193 181 ns ns 199 234 210 282 162 292 187 Bulls/100 WOA 16 23 22a 14 17 16 28 17 36 24 17 15 13 20 Trophy bulls/100 WOA 2 6 n/a 2 7 4 19 9 28 18 7 5 8 6 410 Total elk 79 76 124 ns 46 ns ns ns 166 28 166 ns ns 156 81 139 131 48 ns 160 Bulls/100 WOA 16a 14a 6 7a 9 12a 16 29 14 7 23 6 Trophy bulls/100 WOA n/a n/a 1 n/a 1 n/a 4 21 8 2 18 3 BVPP Total elk 30 45 50 ns ns ns ns ns 80 ns 115 ns ns 105b 62 66 73c 58 ns 67 Bulls/100 WOA 0 32 19 1 8 n/a 7 6 0 7 Trophy bulls/100 WOA 1 n/a 0 0 0 2 PLPP Total elk 38 ns 28 15 5 ns ns ns 25 ns ns ns ns 18 24a 24a ns ns ns 6 or WMU407 Bulls/100 WOA 27a 85a 15a 25a 56a 28a 100a 0a TOTALS* 1728 717 1733 1102 1147 1590 685 1355 1829 1450 1869 1939 1478 2441 a=incomplete area coverage b=counted from ground on Jan 3, 1996 c=counted from ground Jan, 2002 *=includes BVPP and PLPP ns=not surveyed n/a=not available due to poor sample size or poor coverage of area n/c=not classified BVPP=Bow Valley Provincial Park PLPP=Peter Lougheed Provincial Park 5

Almost 1000 elk were counted in WMU 312 during 2008. The elk count during 2008 is higher than any previous survey and more than double what was historically seen in the early 1980 s (Table 2). Numbers in the Jumpingpound portion of WMU 312 can be separated out from the balance of the unit (Table 3). The Jumpingpound herd is a traditional herd that generally consists of several cows, calves and young bulls that frequent the area southwest of Highway 22 and the Trans Canada Highway intersection. Smaller groups of older bulls are usually in the area but can be more difficult to find. Numbers of elk have increased in both the Jumpingpound portion of WMU 312 and the remaining portion (Table 3). Efforts at reducing elk numbers in WMU 312 through increased antlerless hunting permits and split seasons have increased the harvest but have not yet reached levels required to create a reduction in the population (Table 4). Table 3. Comparison of elk numbers and bull ratios over the last 13 surveys for WMU 312, separating out the Jumpingpound herd, 1980-2008 Year WMU 312 Bulls/100 Jumpingpound Bulls/100 excluding Jmppnd. antlerless herd only antlerless 1980 363 5 38 19 1981 265 2 ns ns 1982 265 3 70 30 1986 256 7 98 18 1987 249 8 16 0 1989 347 6 95 4 1993 277 12 138 23 1996 557 11 162 14 1998 367 22 171 5 2000 607 27 199 11 2002 675 15 161 0 2004 560 16 253 9 2008 694 20 285 not classified ns = not surveyed The Jumpingpound herd in the northern part of WMU 312 may be moving into areas traditionally not occupied. In recent years these elk have been known to cross the Trans Canada Highway to the north and have also been using areas east of Highway 22 between the Elbow river and the Trans Canada Highway. Both areas are capable of supporting more elk. 6

Table 4. Number of antlerless elk harvested in WMU 312, 1995-2007 Year Number of Estimated Harvest (a) Harvest (b) Permits Total Confidence % Confidence Limit 1995 41 19 4 19 18 1996 141 73 18 25 46 1997 289 37 21 58 56 1998 238 87 13 15 47 1999 300 39 8 21 31 2000 403 77 25 33 44 2001 309 82 18 23 56 2002 316 68 7 20 31 2003 311 107 8 8 42 2004 296 42 n/a n/a n/a 2005 123 40 n/a n/a n/a 2006 296 76 n/a n/a n/a 2007 264 56 n/a n/a n/a (a) = Numbers based on telephone questionnaire WMU 314 This unit is difficult to reliably survey due to its large size and lack of reliability in finding elk on traditional areas. Their distribution in this WMU is highly influenced by the winter conditions. More elk were observed in this unit during 2008 than in any previous survey (Table 2). WMU 314 was only recently (1996) included into the Canmore/Calgary winter elk survey, therefore elk numbers prior to 1996 were unknown. Only anecdotal reports of elk numbers were available and these were mostly related to crop/haystack depredation complaints. Only 4 surveys have been conducted in this unit to date and counts have been highly variable (Table 2). The 2008 count of around 300 is similar to the 1996 count of 339. Due to the variable survey counts and poor reliability of the counts, it is difficult to determine trends for this population with any degree of certainty. The surveys do, however, provide a minimum estimate of what is likely in the area and provide a baseline for setting hunting permits. WMU 404 This is a regionally significant elk herd that winters in the Highwood and Mist creek drainages. The Highwood valley is acknowledged as containing some of the best mountainous wintering range for elk along the Southern East Slopes. The major highway that traverses the 7

area (Highway 40) is designated a road corridor wildlife sanctuary and is closed to public travel during winter months. Counts in unit 404 are relatively reliable. Trend counts indicate that num bers have declined since the early 1980 s and then increased starting around 2000 followed by what currently appears to be another decline (Table 2). Reasons for the declines are unknown. The increase in numbers during 2000-2002 is likely the result of a transplant that occurred in 1998 when over 100 elk were relocated from Ya Ha Tinda and released in the Highwood Pass. All transplanted elk were ear tagged and some radiocollared. Some of the radio-collared animals have moved out of the Highwood Valley and have taken up residence elsewhere but ear tagged individuals are regularly observed during surveys. Since the transplant, elk numbers appear to have declined and the 2008 count of 254, is down from previous counts. Little is known about the seasonal movements of the elk in this unit. Adjacent WMU s (i.e. 312 and 406) harbour large numbers of elk and movements between these units and WMU 404 are poorly understood. It is highly likely that some elk move back and forth between WMU 404 and 312 and 406. Since Table 2 summarizes elk counts by WMU, intra season movements can influence interpretation of trends. To more accurately examine trends in numbers for WMU 404, population counts can be summarized by winter range regardless of which WMU the winter range falls within. The winter ranges used are only those thought to be used by the Highwood elk population. This population uses the following winter ranges: a) lower Highwood valley in the vicinity of the Highwood Junction-WMU 404, b) Mist Creek-WMU 404, c) Gibraltar Mountain (a high alpine winter range-wmu 406), and d) Marston/Wileman creeks (an area just east of the Highwood valley-wmu 406). A comparison of elk numbers in each of the winter ranges and a total estimate for the entire Highwood population is shown in Table 5. 8

Table 5. Summary of elk numbers in the Highwood elk herd, 1974-2008 Survey Date Feb. 74 Mar. 74 Feb. 75 Mar. 76 Jan. 77 Feb. 80 Feb. 82 Feb. 86 Highwood Valley (WMU 404) 72 60 135 258 52 339 239 150 Mist Creek (WMU404) 29 38 0 30 ns 81 31 52 Gibralter Mtn. (WMU406) 0 0 0 0 ns 0 0 0 Subtotal 101 98 135 288 52 420 270 202 Marston/Wileman Crk.(WMU406) 6 0 54 46 29 106 171 118 Highwood Herd Total 107 98 189 334 81 526 441 320 Survey Date Mar. 87 Jan. 88 Feb. 88 Mar. 88 Feb. 89 Mar. 91 Jan. 93 Mar. 93 Highwood Valley (WMU 404) 274 148 216 236 293 229 130 146 Mist Creek (WMU404) 14 43 37 37 58 62 29 1 Gibralter Mtn. (WMU406) 80 0 0 0 0 0 25 94 Subtotal 368 191 253 273 351 291 184 241 Marston/Wileman Crk.(WMU406) 84 ns ns ns 51 113 74 61 Highwood Herd Total 452 191 253 273 402 404 258 302 Survey Date Feb. 94 Jan. 96 Mar. 97 Jan. 98 Feb. 00 Jan. 02 Feb. 05 Jan. 08 Highwood Valley (WMU 404) 108 198 96 172 240 208 ns 200 Mist Creek (WMU404) 86 91 93 97 65 93 ns 49 Gibralter Mtn. (WMU406) 9 0 0 0 31 74 ns 0 Subtotal 203 289 189 269 336 375 ns Marston/Wileman Crk.(WMU406) 49 74 47 45 0 0 ns 46 Highwood Herd Total 252 363 236 314 336 375 ns 295 ns = not surveyed WMU 406 This is a very difficult unit to reliably survey due to its large area, lack of well defined wintering areas, and large forested areas, all of which contribute to a difficulty in finding elk on a consistent basis. This tends to result in highly variable counts from one survey to the next (Table 2). While survey counts are low relative to other units, this unit actually is believed to have more elk than either 404 or 408. Tracks of numerous groups of elk are regularly observed during surveys but these groups are not often observed. Large expanses of forest cover are the primary reason for the unreliable counts. Based on the number of track groupings, estimates of 9

group size, and numbers of elk actually seen during the surveys, estimates of elk in WMU 406 are around 500 while actual counts are only around 200. In 2008, only 171 animals were observed. WMU 408 This unit has revealed a steady increase in elk numbers since the early 1980 s (Table 2). Part of the increase can be attributed to the relocation of 115 elk between 1998 and 2001. These animals are reflected in the higher counts of 2002 and 2005. During 2008, only 187 elk were observed. Conditions were good during the survey so it is uncertain as to the reason for the decrease from what was observed in 2005. A high number of elk wintering in the Kananaskis Valley portion of WMU 408 reside on the Kananaskis golf course, which they are unwelcome to use. Hunting permits for antlerless elk have been increased over the last several years in an effort to reduce elk numbers and perhaps the increased hunting effort has in fact succeeded in reducing numbers. In addition to increased hunting opportunity, an aversive conditioning program and intercept feeding program have been implemented. A closer look at elk distribution within WMU 408 around the Kananaskis Valley and the golf course is shown in Table 6. An increasing elk population in the Kananaskis Valley is clearly evident with numbers maximizing out at 248 in 2005. Since 2005, numbers have declined by about 30% to only 174 during 2008. Furthermore, the number of elk observed on the golf course during recent surveys has decreased significantly such that only 6 were observed on the golf course in 2008. While only 6 were observed on the golf course, there were 94 elk located just across the highway from the golf course. 10

Table 6. Elk observations during aerial surveys in the Kananaskis Valley, 1978-2008 Aerial Number of elk in study area* (including golf course area) Number of elk on golf course area** survey year Bulls Cows/calves Total Bulls Cows/calves Total 1978 8 42 50 0 0 0 1980 17 70 87 0 0 0 1982 17 63 80 0 0 0 1987 4 46 50 0 0 0 1989 8 72 80 1 0 1 1991 23 113 136 13 46 59 1993 28 101 129 6 46 52 1996 13 140 153 3 82 85 1998 31 102 133 4 46 50 2000 21 129 150 17 75 92 2002 20 192 212 9 150 159 2004 12 139 151 6 95 101 2005 11 237 248 0 21 21a 2006 23 201 224 4 56 60b 2008 19 155 174 0 6 6c * Study area includes Kananaskis valley from Barrier south to Galatea, Wedge Mtn., upper Ribbon Crk., Marmot basin and Nakis **Golf course area includes Ribbon Crk. south to Galatea Crk.; west of Hwy 40; slopes to Mt. Kidd a=155 additional elk were observed just east of Hwy 40 near Boundary ranch b=24 additional elk observed east of Hwy 40 in Boundary rancy area c=104 additional elk observed east of Hwy 40 in Boundary ranch area and near feeders WMU 410 Elk numbers in WMU 410 had been declining slowly since 1993. In 2008, however, numbers were up at 160 individuals. This was comparable to what was being observed during the mid 1990 s (Table 2). Bow Valley Provincial Park (BVPP) Elk numbers in BVPP have decreased from just over 100 animals during 1993-1996 to around 70 animals more recently. The Trans Canada Highway continues to be a significant mortality source and likely contributes greatly to the decline. Several BVPP elk were harvested in November 2003 by First Nations people from the Stoney Indian Reserve when the elk had moved onto the adjacent reserve. Conservation Officers found a bull elk and 3 cows killed during the incident, but several additional elk may have been involved without our knowledge. 11

Appendix 1. Checkpoint location and elk classification during the 2008 Calgary and Canmore winter elk surveys Date WMU Checkpt. Total Bulls Antlerless U/C UTM Comments Number Elk Spike Branch Trophy U/C Cows Calves U/C Elk Northing Easting 21-Jan-08 310 87 3 3 5582480 684138 21-Jan-08 310 89 190 190 5584965 693880 21-Jan-08 310 90 1 1 5581713 692336 21-Jan-08 310 91 7 5 2 5578688 695210 21-Jan-08 310 92 83 3 1 71 8 5574439 695873 21-Jan-08 310 93 39 7 4 3 22 3 5577115 692966 21-Jan-08 310 94 1 1 5573824 690892 Total: 324 11 6 6 0 98 13 0 190 Bulls/100 antlerless: 21 Trophy bulls/100 antlerless: 5 20-Jan-08 312 35 5 4 1 5663474 662831 20-Jan-08 312 40 14 4 5 6 5653901 671946 20-Jan-08 312 42 17 4 9 4 5653654 672179 20-Jan-08 312 45 249 249 5661121 674574 Jumpingpound 20-Jan-08 312 58 65 5 1 1 58 5635829 687108 20-Jan-08 312 59 35 2 33 5637840 689144 20-Jan-08 312 60 8 4 2 2 5633849 686394 20-Jan-08 312 62 238 238 5611850 684497 Turner V. Ranch 20-Jan-08 312 63 9 4 2 3 5608629 681496 20-Jan-08 312 64 8 6 2 5604516 683465 21-Jan-08 312 78 75 8 2 2 41 21 5604075 699495 21-Jan-08 312 79 19 11 7 1 5604250 699284 21-Jan-08 312 80 6 4 2 5601397 680375 21-Jan-08 312 81 96 1 77 18 5597521 681705 21-Jan-08 312 82 25 25 5596640 680629 21-Jan-08 312 83 5 5 5595932 680597 21-Jan-08 312 84 4 2 2 5595837 681040 21-Jan-08 312 85 20 1 18 1 5595595 681685 21-Jan-08 312 86 2 2 5595545 678302 1-Feb-08 312 10 79 4 1 1 73 5663807 673680 Nth of TCH Total: 979 52 34 24 0 149 44 164 512 Bulls/100 antlerless: 31 Trophy bulls/100 antlerless: 7 1-Feb-08 314 1 36 2 1 33 5717554 666151 1-Feb-08 314 2 1 1 5729964 670363 1-Feb-08 314 3 20 20 5723125 671039 1-Feb-08 314 4 2 2 5693873 671213 1-Feb-08 314 5 51 7 44 5691890 674781 1-Feb-08 314 6 3 2 1 5691139 674876 1-Feb-08 314 8 60 4 1 1 54 5680605 666262 1-Feb-08 314 9 120 6 3 2 109 5678806 667141 Total: 293 19 9 4 0 34 0 227 0 Bulls/100 antlerless: 12 Trophy bulls/100 antlerless: 2 12

Date WMU Checkpt. Total Bulls Antlerless U/C UTM Comments Number Elk Spike Branch Trophy U/C Cows Calves U/C Elk Northing Easting 21-Jan-08 404 100 31 2 25 4 5584362 668113 21-Jan-08 404 101 13 13 5584853 668157 21-Jan-08 404 102 12 1 10 1 5585593 667694 21-Jan-08 404 103 28 2 1 1 19 5 5585479 668452 21-Jan-08 404 104 5 2 3 5586115 668957 21-Jan-08 404 108 3 3 5585146 665910 21-Jan-08 404 109 22 22 5585396 666021 21-Jan-08 404 110 33 5 28 5585627 665839 2 with Yel ear tags 21-Jan-08 404 111 15 15 5585034 666095 21-Jan-08 404 112 12 10 2 5585041 666834 21-Jan-08 404 113 1 1 5581235 664983 21-Jan-08 404 114 1 1 5581849 666933 21-Jan-08 404 115 12 1 7 4 5588598 662519 23-Jan-08 404 122 8 7 1 5601681 653540 Mist Ridge 23-Jan-08 404 123 2 2 5602285 651921 Mist Ridge 23-Jan-08 404 124 25 1 19 5 5603921 652359 Mist Ridge 23-Jan-08 404 125 1 1 5605824 650212 23-Jan-08 404 127 1 1 5599060 655121 23-Jan-08 404 128 7 1 6 5600229 654439 23-Jan-08 404 135 10 5 5 5582063 668562 23-Jan-08 404 136 1 1 5580941 669524 23-Jan-08 404 143 1 1 5591766 659492 23-Jan-08 404 144 5 5 5599572 651728 24-Jan-08 404 179 2 2 5625609 631633 24-Jan-08 404 182 1 1 5627082 630512 24-Jan-08 404 183 2 2 5626826 630625 Total: 254 9 11 19 5 114 18 28 50 Bulls/100 antlerless: 28 Trophy bulls/100 antlerless: 12 20-Jan-08 406 54 5 2 3 5621590 663876 20-Jan-08 406 55 8 2 1 5 5619575 661527 Volcano 21-Jan-08 406 66 4 4 5617420 654547 21-Jan-08 406 68 35 8 1 23 3 5613806 667555 Sheep R. 21-Jan-08 406 71 6 6 5609978 668602 Grn Mtn 21-Jan-08 406 72 9 9 5610003 671181 21-Jan-08 406 73 5 5 5610231 670699 21-Jan-08 406 74 1 1 5611401 672250 21-Jan-08 406 76 49 1 38 10 5611507 676442 21-Jan-08 406 95 4 1 3 5588147 673375 21-Jan-08 406 96 2 1 1 5588525 674580 21-Jan-08 406 99 40 2 3 2 31 2 5586472 673591 23-Jan-08 406 154 3 1 2 5613057 647703 Total: 171 12 11 17 0 101 15 0 15 Bulls/100 antlerless: 34 Trophy bulls/100 antlerless: 15 13

Date WMU Checkpt. Total Bulls Antlerless U/C UTM Comments Number Elk Spike Branch Trophy U/C Cows Calves U/C Elk Northing Easting 18-Jan-08 408 26 3 3 5653396 621088 Wind Ridge 18-Jan-08 408 28 4 4 5652244 619312 Wind Ridge 24-Jan-08 408 179 2 2 5625609 631633 24-Jan-08 408 182 1 1 5627082 630512 24-Jan-08 408 183 2 2 5626826 630625 24-Jan-08 408 192 35 1 25 9 5634137 632434 wedge Mtn 24-Jan-08 408 193 8 1 7 5633773 632159 24-Jan-08 408 196 6 5 1 5639447 630702 24-Jan-08 408 197 10 9 1 5641425 631304 24-Jan-08 408 198 3 3 5640402 631621 24-Jan-08 408 199 27 24 3 5639113 631270 24-Jan-08 408 200 44 4 39 1 5639055 631782 Evan Thomas feeder 24-Jan-08 408 201 10 10 5643160 632314 24-Jan-08 408 202 2 2 5644323 631119 24-Jan-08 408 203 2 2 5644799 631020 24-Jan-08 408 204 2 1 1 5649179 632862 24-Jan-08 408 206 13 4 1 8 5643625 627050 Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408 207 3 3 5643973 626150 Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408 218 7 2 5 5632759 632637 Wedge 24-Jan-08 408 219 3 3 5633026 633321 Wedge Total: 187 11 9 9 0 133 15 0 10 Bulls/100 antlerless: 20 Trophy bulls/100 antlerless: 6 18-Jan-08 410 4 12 12 5662048 617208 18-Jan-08 410 6 2 2 5662097 616513 18-Jan-08 410 11 2 2 5661742 615925 18-Jan-08 410 12 12 12 5666389 611855 18-Jan-08 410 14 1 1 5664631 615397 18-Jan-08 410 15 1 1 5665303 611233 18-Jan-08 410 16 54 54 5659844 615727 18-Jan-08 410 17 2 2 5658185 616470 18-Jan-08 410 18 34 34 5655855 618909 18-Jan-08 410 19 2 2 5656401 619011 18-Jan-08 410 22 8 8 5656590 621112 18-Jan-08 410 30 30 9 15 6 5652594 626468 Pigeon Mtn Total: 160 0 9 15 12 16 0 0 108 Bulls/100 antlerless: 225 Trophy bulls/100 antlerless: 94 24-Jan-08 PLPP 175 4 4 5624184 632471 24-Jan-08 PLPP 176 2 2 5624111 633235 18-Jan-08 BVPP 23 67 67 5659879 634992 14

Appendix 2. Showing elk observation locations by WMU (incl. observations bordering WMU) during 2008 winter surveys 15

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