BUCKHEAVEN
08-08-2007, 04:03 PM
A Fence Design for Excluding Elk Without Impeding Other Wildlife
High densities of elk can degrade natural and human-developed environments such as golf courses, lawns, and gardens. Traditional means to exclude elk and alleviate damage often impede other wildlife. NWRC biologists have designed a simple fence that excluded elk without restricting access to other wildlife. A 1-ha stand of quaking aspen traditionally used by high numbers of elk was enclosed with our fence design. The efficacy of the fence was determined by monitoring wildlife use inside and outside the exclosure with trackplots, animal-activated cameras, and changes in aspen sprout recruitment and height. The fence successfully excluded all elk while allowing other wildlife access. Wildlife that used the exclosure included beaver, black bear, bobcat, coyote, deer, mountain lion, raccoon, red fox, and rabbits. After 1 year of protection, the number of sprouts in the exclosure slightly increased (64 in 2004 to 70 in 2005) with mean aspen sprout height being greater inside the exclosure than outside. This fence design effectively excludes elk, facilitates aspen regeneration, and may be applicable in other areas for protecting additional resources. The National Park Service will be using this design to erect exclosures to protect aspen and willow stands from overabundant elk.
High densities of elk can degrade natural and human-developed environments such as golf courses, lawns, and gardens. Traditional means to exclude elk and alleviate damage often impede other wildlife. NWRC biologists have designed a simple fence that excluded elk without restricting access to other wildlife. A 1-ha stand of quaking aspen traditionally used by high numbers of elk was enclosed with our fence design. The efficacy of the fence was determined by monitoring wildlife use inside and outside the exclosure with trackplots, animal-activated cameras, and changes in aspen sprout recruitment and height. The fence successfully excluded all elk while allowing other wildlife access. Wildlife that used the exclosure included beaver, black bear, bobcat, coyote, deer, mountain lion, raccoon, red fox, and rabbits. After 1 year of protection, the number of sprouts in the exclosure slightly increased (64 in 2004 to 70 in 2005) with mean aspen sprout height being greater inside the exclosure than outside. This fence design effectively excludes elk, facilitates aspen regeneration, and may be applicable in other areas for protecting additional resources. The National Park Service will be using this design to erect exclosures to protect aspen and willow stands from overabundant elk.