Elk and SitkaBlack Tailed Deer ELK Cervus canadensis
Elk and Sitka-Black Tailed Deer
ELK Cervus canadensis • 1700 s: elk all over the lower 48 states • 10 million! mid 1800 s: elk disappeared in the eastern states • By 1900: elk were extinct in 90% of their original range • Laws passed to protect elk and transplant programs began •
Types of Elk l 1. Rocky Mountain Elk Use to be widespread n Now only in Rocky Mountain region n
l 2. Roosevelt Elk n Vancouver, Canada to mid. California n AND in Alaska? !
Elk were transplanted to Afognak Island in 1929 l Population started with 8 l Fluctuated and now has around 900 l
Roosevelt Elk l Weight: bulls 1300 lbs; cows are lighter n Second largest member of Cervidae family l Yellow rump patch l Most polygamous of the Cervids n (polygamy=more than one mate) n Males gather large harems l Rut occurs in September
Sitka Black Tailed Deer Odocoileus hemionus l Native to Southeast Alaska n l Transplanted to other areas n l Wet coastal rainforest Yakutat, Prince William Sound, Kodiak, Afognak Islands Males are bucks n n 150 lbs (record 212 lbs) Rut occurs October. December
l Females n Does - up to 100 lbs l Babies n Fawns l 1 -3 young l Born in may-june l Weight 6 -8 lbs
Problems… l Competition with introduced elk l Predators: n 1. Wolf n 2. Bears n 3. Wolverines n 4. Bald eagles
Hunting l Many people depend on deer food l Bag limits (how many you can kill) can be as high as 7 animals
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