Identifying Migration Routes and Stopover Sites on the Blackfeet Reservation (Montana, USA) and the Surrounding Landscape

Abstract

Elk (Cervus canadensis) are important economically, culturally, and provide an important source of sustenance for many communities. Studies of elk migrations during spring and fall improve our understanding of elk ecology and provide managers with valuable information, however there is limited published literature about how both traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and western science are used to identify migration routes. We used global positioning system (GPS) telemetrycollar data collected on adult female elk around the Blackfeet Nation Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana, USA, to identify migration routes and stopover sites using Migration Mapper. In addition, we include maps of known elk migration routes based on Blackfeet traditional ecological knowledge. Both methods of identifying migration routes for elk are consistent in our results. Our results could help managers identify locations in and around the Blackfeet reservation where anthropogenic activities may conflict with elk during migration to and from critical winter range.