Introduction -

The most recent Ice Age during the late Pleistocene created environmental conditions that allowed the migration of Old World species, including man, into North America, and caused the extinction of large numbers of existing habitat specialists, many of which were megafauna. The remaining fauna largely consisted of species that were habitat generalists and which were evolutionarily primitive and unspecialized, such as the New World white-tailed deer and coyote, and the colonizing Old World fauna, such as elk, moose, and bison. In the absence of large predatory and competitor species, these primitive fauna radiated and flourished until checked by increasing populations of Native Americans.

Fossil records, place names, and historical accounts of explorers and settlers reveal evidence of herds of bison, elk, and deer that roamed Kentucky's pre-settlement fields and forests. Gray and red wolves, black bear, mountain lions, and Native Americans once preyed and subsisted upon these vast resources. European settlement of Kentucky brought about a rapid statewide extirpation of all of these species excluding white-tailed deer by the mid-nineteenth century. White-tailed deer were nearly eliminated from Kentucky by the early 1900's. However, in the absence of natural predators and competitors, the passage and enforcement of game laws, and restocking efforts over the past fifty years by KDFWR, the white-tail has reestablished in both abundance and distribution.

In contrast, the coyote once inhabited only the interior plains of the United States. Extirpation of competitors such as the gray and red wolf, agricultural development, and forest fragmentation have allowed the coyote to expand its range to all 48 continental states, much of Canada, and southward into Panama. The coyote first immigrated into Kentucky in the 1950's and is currently well established in all counties.

Elk were extirpated from Kentucky by the 1850's. Elk were recently reintroduced into eastern Kentucky by KDFWR in 1997. Two elk herds have been released, totaling over 300 individuals. Both releases occurred on active and/or reclaimed mine lands. Initial research on the first two herds by the University of Kentucky has focused on movement and activity patterns, and demographic variables such as survivorship and reproduction.

One of the most important research and management questions regarding the reintroduction of a species is its immediate and long-term impact on existing ecological system processes, and species components. The restoration of potential keystone species to native ecosystems that have only recently evolved in their absence allows a unique opportunity to examine the ecological role of the reintroduced species and its relationship to competitor and predatory species. The Kentucky elk reintroduction involves concentrated and immediate releases of a large number of megaherbivores (elk), thus allowing for an unprecedented degree of experimental control and measurement of change of attributes associated with existing dependent variables (white-tailed deer, coyotes).

Study Area

The Redbird Wildlife Management Area (RWMA) (Fig.1), jointly managed by KDFWR and the United States Forest Service (USFS), has been selected as one of the

third year elk release sites in Kentucky. RWMA comprises 9204 ha of the Redbird Purchase Unit of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The landscape is dominated by steep ridges and hills that range 300-500m in elevation. Approximately 95% of the management area is covered by second and third growth mixed-mesophytic forest. The

remaining area consists of artificially maintained openings, some of which contain food plots. Redbird will be the first closed canopy release site, and thus far will represent the least disturbed and best example of pre-settlement eastern Kentucky elk habitat.
 
 

White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer capture efforts were led by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources personnel during the winter of 1999. Deer were captured using drop nets over baited sites or via tranquilization using rifle-propelled darts. Deer were sexed, aged, chest girth recorded, fecal samples obtained, and equipped with a collar containing a Telonics (Mesa, AZ) VHF radio-transmitter. A total of 30 deer (19 resident and 11 translocated non-resident) were radiocollared and released at Redbird. Deer locations and movements are being obtained via ground and aerial telemetry. Eleven of the collars were equipped with tip-activated switches that change pulse rate according to head position, and thus give an indication of activity. To ascertain seasonal and annual food habits, deer pellets are collected for future analysis. In addition, efforts are now underway to examine deer pellets in order to assess infection rates for P. tenuis (brainworm).

Coyotes
 

Coyote trapping was initiated at Redbird WMA on Oct. 1999. To date, two male coyotes (1.5yrs, 27lbs; 3yrs, 30lbs) were caught using padded leg-hold traps, successfully radiocollared, and released. Our goal is to collar an additional ten coyotes before the upcoming winter elk release. Radiotelemetry protocols will follow those described for deer. In addition, scats have been routinely gathered and will be analyzed for food content to determine seasonal and post-elk release differences.

Elk

Elk trapping efforts by KDFWR will resume Jan. 2000. Utah will be the source state for the elk released at Redbird. Approximately 50 radio-collared elk will be released at Redbird during the winter of 2000. Radiotelemetry protocols will follow those described for deer. Location, movement, and activity data will be collected and analyzed similar to that performed on the previous two release herds for comparative analysis. Elk pellets will be collected and analyzed as described for deer. Elk mortalities will be investigated and carcasses either field or lab necropsied depending on carcass accessibility and condition. Efforts will also be made to assess calving success and to radiocollar calves.

Goals

1) Assess movement patterns, dispersion, habitat usage, and demographic variables of the Redbird elk herd. Determine aspects of these components that contribute to the success or failure of self-sustainability of the elk herd. Make management recommendations based on data analysis.

2) Assess the impacts of elk release on white-tailed deer and coyotes by analyzing pre- and post-elk release data on variables such as movement patterns, habitat use, activity, food habits, and through field observation.

Figure 1. Fourteen-county designated elk release zone in eastern Kentucky, with release sites.