Landscape Influences on Elk Vulnerability to Hunting

Abstract

We evaluated landscape elements that we believed influenced elk (Cervus elaphus) vulnerability to hunting in western Montana from 1993 to1995. We used six Geographic Information System (GIS) coverages to describe 84 elk-kill locations, 267 live-elk locations, and 166 random locations at three scales (point, 200-m radius, and 700-m radius). We used discriminant function analysis (DFA) to differentiate among these locations using four road variables, three topographic variables, 24 vegetation classes, four vegetation-change classes, hydrography, and a fragmentation index. Road proximity or density discriminated among elk kill, live-elk, and random locations at each scale. In addition, a vegetation-change variable and two vegetation classes (lodgepole pine [Pinus contortaJ and open Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesiiJ classes) improved differentiation of the locations ( x = 50% correct classification). Elk selected locations away from open roads in areas with low road density and large patches of forest with substantial hiding cover. In contrast, elk were killed in areas with higher road density and less hiding cover.