Human Influences on Elk Movement Rates and Resource Selection in the Wildland-Urban Interface.

摘要: Elk (Cervus elaphus) are known to select for refuge from hunting by humans (elk hunting). In many areas in the western U.S., elk is completely excluded wildland-urban interface (WUI) as a result of land ownership change and subdivision, thus providing refugia elk. Many these WUI populations increasing rapidly, pose significant credibility challenge wildlife managers. The North Hills Herd, Missoula, Montana, has been growing at ~11 percent since early 1980s, herd now numbers over 300 animals. Landownership complex matrix public private lands that range partial complete exclusion hunting, pressure low provides multiple refugia. Montana Fish, Wildlife Parks used this setting reduce population growth, crop depredation, habituation. Little about efficacy on movement rates habitat selection. We First-Passage Time (FPT) Resource Selection Functions (RSF) analysis based nine GPS collared adult female during three seasons with (2007-2009) test relationships between resource selection WUI. FPT decreased annually, if they were accessible, differed mode season. selected intermediate distances homes, trails, weakly avoided access. These data have modify season structure, acquire conservation easements, develop lasting partnerships ownerships.