ELK MORTALITY IN THE CLEARWATER DRAINAGE OF NORTHCENTRAL IDAHO

Habitat condition and hunter density may affect mortality rates of elk (Cervus elaphus), and therefore, the amount of recreational opportuni ty offered hunters. Thus, we radio-monitored 121 elk in the forested h abitats of northcentral Idaho during 1986-91 to determine cause-specif ic mortality. Sixty-nine deaths recorded during this period included: 43 recovered rifle kills, 8 rifle wounding losses, 4 archery wounding losses, 2 recovered archery kills, 3 poaching kills, and 9 other morta lities. Eighty-six percent of all elk deaths occurred during September and October and were associated with hunting. Annual survival rate of cow elk was 0.886 (SE = 0.094). Annual survival rate of bull elk was 0.600 (SE = 0.063). The probability of mortality during the hunting se ason was modelled with stepwise logistic regression from habitat and h unter density variables. The probability of mortality increased with r oad and hunter densities, and was lower in areas with highly broken or dissected terrain. Estimating cause-specific mortality is integral to population management and modelling. Mortality models, along with imp roved population estimation methods, and habitat monitoring techniques have the potential to predict the effects of habitat change on popula tions and how this may affect recreational opportunity. Mortality mode ls also may help determine elk vulnerability during the bunting season .