Elk Habitat Use Relative to Forest Succession in Idaho

Abstract

Home range use and habitat selection by a nonmigratory elk (C. elaphus) herd in relation to forest succession in the cedar-hemlock (Thuja-Tsuga) zone of northern Idaho were studied through use of radiotelemetry. In spring, elk preferred grass-shrub and seral shrub successional stages for feeding and tall seral brushfields or pole-timber stands for resting. Elk fed in clear-cuts and seral shrub communities in summer and rested primarily within pole-timber stands on ridges. In autumn, elk shifted to pole-timber communities on mesic slopes. No significant selection patterns occurred on winter range. Elk preferred to rest in areas over 400 m from traveled roads in all seasons. Home ranges contained more foraging area (35 vs. 20%) and less thermal and hiding cover (64 vs. 79%) than present in the study area overall. Selection of home ranges was related to forage production in seral stages of succession. Cover and human disturbance were important in habitat use in autumn.