Collaring calves part of Game Commission research project

Some 21 elk calves have been captured and examined as of the end of June, part of a Pa. Game Commission research project. Twelve were marked with collars, ear tags, or both. Blood tests, weight, hoof examination, umbilical observation, and sex determinations were done on each captured newborn.

Jon DeBerti, wildlife biologist, said this year wraps up the tagging of newborn elk calves. Since the study began five years ago, 105 calves have been collared and monitored for mortality, movement and range. Scientific knowledge of the elk herd is helpful in elk management.

"This year's efforts focused on tagging elk located in areas where collared animals were lacking, as well as those located in more remote pockets of the elk range," DeBerti explained. These areas included Pottersdale, Frenchville, Shawville, Houston Hill, Penfield, Weedville and the Parker Dam area. Some adult animals have also recently been collared in these areas.

One tagged calf died after falling into an open, hand-dug well near Weedville. A few years ago, a collared elk died when it fell into an open well in the Shawville area.

A mother elk nurses her calf amid an elk nursery group in a grassy hillside meadow, while other calves romp and play as their mothers keep watch for potential threats. When a collared animal stops moving for a certain period of time, the radio collar emits a signal with a different pitch and frequency. Cause of death can be investigated when Game Commission field personnel locate the animal.

A comprehensive summary of the cumulative results of the calf study will be released "Future elk research will focus on yearling elk dispersion," said DeBerti. Biologists would like to learn more about where yearlings go when they are kicked out of the nest, so to speak -- when the mother elk goes off by herself in the spring to have another calf.

Elk between the ages of one and two years will be studied. Data will be gathered on how far they travel, choice of habitat and certain geographic areas, as well as mortality.

Studies done out West have concluded that elk mortality is greatest from birth to age two. One of the reasons is the presence of predators, including grizzly bears, wolves, and cougars.

Accidents, rather than predators, are a major cause of mortality in young Pennsylvania elk. Emancipated yearlings are no longer under the guidance and supervision of their mothers. Their curiosity and lack of experience can lead them into trouble. They have not learned the dangers of automobiles, trains, wire fences, swings . . . or open wells.

DeBerti and his biology field staff have come upon a couple of "nursery groups" recently, indicating that the calves are more mobile now. As the mother-calf combos team up with others and form groups, the visibility of new calves to tourists should be increased in the coming weeks.

What can a visitor to the Pennsylvania elk range expect to see in July? Calves nursing, running and playing in nursery groups, or even wading or swimming across streams with their mothers. They're most likely to be viewed very early and very late in the day, when they stand to feed and play.