Feature Topic - Elk Bugle Corps
Beginning in May, the first Elk Bugle Corps began it’s duties within Cataloochee Valley. These volunteers have dedicated their time to assisting and educating visitors about the Great Smoky Mountain elk herd. They patrol the valley weekday afternoons and all day on weekends answering questions and giving informal “elk talks” to interested and curious visitors. The volunteers carry an “Elk Education Trunk” that was donated to the park from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The trunk has elk antlers, animal skins, skulls, scat and other tools that allow visitors a hands-on approach to learning more about elk and other wildlife. This enthusiastic group has been a great help in improving visitor education with regards to the elk. They also assist in ensuring that visitors stay a safe distance from elk, bears, deer and other wildlife. To date, they have contacted over 11,000 visitors and worked over 1,000 volunteer hours. For more information on how you can serve as a Bugle Corps volunteer, contact Mark LaShell
2007 Newborn Elk Calves
The 2007 calving season is almost over and it has been another good year. We have been able to confirm the birth of 17 calves so far: 6 female, 6 male, 5 yet to be determined. Of those born, 12 are still alive and appear to be doing quite well. Of the 5 that died, bear predation is suspected in 3 of the calves, 1 died from injuries inflicted by a dog or coyote along Big Cove Road, and 1 was struck by a vehicle along Hwy. 441, north of the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center. Three were male, one was female, and the sex of one calf was unknown.
2007 Predator Management
The National Park Service continued its predator management efforts that began in 2006 in an effort to evaluate its impacts on newborn elk calf survival.Throughout the peak of the calving season, late May through early July, bears were trapped in and around Cataloochee Valley, radio collared, and relocated to the Twenty Mile area located in the western portion of the park in North Carolina. History of bear management has shown that most nuisance park bears relocated within the park return to the capture site. Using this knowledge it was believed that by the time the relocated bears return to Cataloochee the young calves should be mobile enough to travel safely with their mothers. Several of the bears relocated this year have already returned, making the 40-mile journey in as little as 11 days. While it is disheartening to lose any of the newborn calves, some mortality is expected, and considering the amount of predation documented since elk were released, 2007 appears to be an above-average year for calf survival.
What happened in 2006 when predator management began? Thirteen calves were born, 11 of which survived. This is good news considering the survival of newborn elk calves jumped from approximately 30% in 2005 to approximately 85% in 2006 and about 70% in 2007.
Herd Status
The current number of adult elk in the Smokies elk herd is approximately 75 animals. While the herd showed a slow growth rate for the first several years, due mainly to parasites and bear predation on calves, increased recruitment has brought the total number of animals up to at least 75 adults (1 year of ago and older), in addition to the newborn elk calves born in 2007. In response, the sex ratio of the herd has also turned slightly in favor of the females with an average of 1.3 females: 1 male. Great news!
Antlers, Antlers, Antlers!
The big bulls in the Smokies elk herd have grown large impressive antlers in 2007, larger than 2006.The largest “rack” among them belongs to bull #17 who has 9 points on each side. There are several 7x7’s, a 7x8, and a few large 6x6’s in the herd as well. Bulls #16 and #3, who were the herd bulls in 2006, have not been seen since antler growth has completed. With the days beginning to shorten, the bulls’ testosterone levels are rising and they are beginning to shed their velvet in preparation for the fall rut breeding season. Competition for the female cows should be fierce this year. Don’t miss the show!
Joe Yarkovich
Elk Management
