Managers have the challenge of maintaining healthy stocks of ELK, their habitat, and providing a recreational resource while limiting conflicts on private land

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, awarded $165,950 to the State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This formula grant supports comprehensive Roosevelt elk population and habitat research in western Oregon, addressing critical wildlife management needs for the state agency.

The primary deliverables include the collection and analysis of population parameter data for population modeling, with emphasis on annual cow and calf survival rates and cause-specific mortality estimates; documentation of habitat landscape features preferred by elk based on availability; analysis of elk seasonal distribution patterns and movements; assessment of the relationship between cow elk body condition, forage resource availability, and calf survival and recruitment; and development of habitat-based survey methods to monitor elk population trends. These research outputs are essential for ODFW's ability to make sound management decisions regarding elk population sustainability, recreational hunting opportunities, state revenue generation, and compliance with statutory obligations.

This project will collect comprehensive data on:(1) accurate, unbiased population parameter data for population models, especially annual COW and calf survival rates (and cause specific mortality estimates), (2) the habitat landscape features used preferred by ELK in western oregon (based on availability), (3) ELK seasonal distribution patterns and movements, (4) the relationship between COW ELK body condition, forage resource availability and the resulting calf survival recruitment and (5) the development of habitat-based survey methods to document ELK population trends. Lack of immediate action in obtaining needed data on roosevelt ELK will affect odfws ability to make sound management decisions, which could lead to loss of hunting opportunities, loss of revenue to the state, declines in ELK populations, and a reduced ability of the odfw to meet statutory goals and obligations.