Movements of Elk in Relation to Logging Disturbances

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Abstract
Elk (Cervus eleaphus) movements in relation to logging activities were studied in Chamberlain Creek, Montana [USA] between 12 August and 30 September 1981. Fifty-six aerial and 61 ground telemetry locations were obtained for nine cow elk. Normal elk movements in the Chamberlain Creek area were short and probably related to forage availability. Movements away from disturbance were significantly longer than those toward disturbance, but the sequence of movements was random with respect to source of disturbance. Elk tended to move into areas of logging activity on weekends during non-active periods, but these movements were probably a response to increased accessibility of some habitat factor rather than habituation to the disturbance. A buffer zone of 500-1,000 m separated areas of high elk use from areas of disturbance. Habituation may decrease this buffer zone. This displacement of elk may cause substantial reductions in habitat availability.

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