Density Dependence and Survival of Elk in Northwestern Wyoming

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Abstract
Survival rates of elk (C. elaphus) were estimated from tag recovery data. Correlations of yearly survival rates of cow and female calf elk with climatic, hunter kill, and elk population density variables indicate that cow survival varies with climate, but female calf survival changes with both climate and cow population density. Although a variety of climatic, population density, and other environmental factors probably interact to determine elk survival, only density-dependent survival could be determined in calf elk. Age-specific density dependence should be incorporated into models of elk population dynamics to ensure accurate predictions of elk population densities and maximum sustained yields.

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