Antler size and winter mortality of elk: Effects of environment, birth year, and parasites

Authors(s): B. L. Smith

Publication: J of Mammal

Publisher:

Publication Date: 0000-00-00

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Abstract: Objectives were to: (1) profile antler characteristics of elk that die during winter; (2) investigate relationships of age, population density, adult sex ratio, previous growing season's weather, and supplemental feeding to antler size; (3) evaluate the relationship of antler size to parasitism by scab mites (scabies); and (4) evaluate if antler size attained in adult elk was a reflection of early development. Study was conducted on the National Elk Refuge. Studies we?ve conducted to date showed that supplemental feeding did not produce larger birth weight calves, and was not correlated with first year survival of calves. Next we investigated whether antler size of bull elk was correlated with supplemental feeding or several other environmental variables. Antler size of elk that died of natural causes on the NER each winter were related to age, March and April temperatures during the spring that they grew, and to weather conditions when these elk were in utero. Variation in antler size was not a function of the amount of supplemental feed these elk received.

Keywords: animal, mammal, ungualate, wapiti, elk, Cervus elaphus, Cervidae, Antler, Size, Mortality, population, winter food supplementation, management, Environmental Factor, Parasite, disease, Weather, food, feeding, forage, Nutrition, Mites, Statistics, Winter, Age, Sex Ratio, Diet, Artificial, National Elk Refuge, Jackson Hole, Teton County