A new Elk Management Plan was approved by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Rodney Stokes at the April 5 meeting of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) in Lansing. The plan incorporates an adaptive approach to management, whereby necessary changes to the plan can be implemented based on results.
Michigan’s current elk herd in an area north of Atlanta is the result of a release of seven animals from “various city parks and public institutions” in 1918 about three miles southeast of Wolverine.The herd grew steadily with estimates of 300-400 in 1939 and 900 to 1,000 in 1958. The Department of Natural Resources (department) is officially charged with the management of resident wildlife in Michigan by virtue of a 1996 referendum requiring the department to use principles of sound scientific management in decisions relative to the taking of game. With this in mind, the department has unveiled a new elk management plan with the following goals:
1) Manage for an elk population that can be sustained by available habitat;
2) Use hunting as the primary method to control the number of elk; their distribution so that difficulties involving elk interactions with people are abated; and the proportion of males to females in the population; and
3) Enhance the public’s understanding of elk management in Michigan.
Back in the 1960s, elk habitat, and therefore, elk numbers were in decline. By the mid-1970s, the elk population was down to about 200 animals – in no small part related to illegal shootings. By the late 1970s the numbers began to rebound because of better law enforcement and habitat improvements. Based on an expanded range, a goal of 800 to 900 elk was established and has been used through year 2011.
While no formal objective has been defined for a bull-to-cow ratio in the Michigan herd, it is believed that about 60 bulls to 100 cows is most desirable. This new objective would have about twice as many bulls to 100 cows as are in many western herds.
Over the years, land use in the elk area has changed and must be considered as part of the overall plan. Land is continually being divided into smaller parcels and hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders all share the land occupied by elk. Because of this, some elk decide to move from the core area to places where interactions with farmers, for example, become problematic. That’s why some hunting addresses control of the herd outside of the core range.
Large blocks of land must be available for elk range, because the average home range of a bull elk is 35 miles and that of a cow elk is some 23 miles; some animals cover up to an astounding 100 miles!
Funding for elk management comes largely from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, but revenue is in decline. Therefore, future funding may have to include alternative sources from stakeholders who are in some way impacted by elk.
The management plan is quite comprehensive, but its success is dependent upon implementation. That will take money and that will be the challenge in years to come.
