Year in Review: 2008
When the first group of elk was released into the Smokies in 2001, it was designed as a 5-year experimental project to assess the long-term viability of an elk herd within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There were several unforeseen obstacles that lie ahead, and as a result the experimental phase of the project was extended an additional 3 years so that an adequate amount of data could be collected to make a more accurate prediction. That extension is set to end at the end of this year, at which point all of the data will be reanalyzed and the park will make its decision regarding the future of the Smoky Mountain elk herd. The herd currently consists of about 95 animals, quite an increase from the 52 elk that were originally released in 2001-2002! 

2008 Calving Season
This year’s calving season was another big success in terms of survival for the calves. A total of 19 calves have been confirmed to have been born this year, the same number of calves born in 2007. 2008 has proven to be more successful in terms of survival though, as 16 of those are thought to still be alive. While this year was above average with a calf survival rate of 84%, the sex ratio of the calves born was fairly poor. Of the 16 surviving calves this year, only 5 are female, 10 are male, and the sex of the last one is yet to be determined. Ultimately, the number of breeding females in the herd will have the greatest effect on their long-term success, so we would always like to see more females being born. Among the mortalities, one calf appeared to have died from natural causes, and the two others were never found. Among the cows that gave birth was #99, who bred at just 1.5 years old. This is a rare occurrence but not unheard of for first time breeders. She had a healthy female calf (#137) and both are regularly seen throughout the fields of Cataloochee. Another interesting fact about #99 is that she travelled out of Cataloochee Valley and up to Balsam Mountain to give birth. The only other cow that does this each year is cow #15, her mother.

Predator Management
The National Park Service continued its predator management efforts that began in 2006 in an effort to evaluate its impacts on newborn elk calf survival. Throughout the peak of the calving season, late May through early July, bears were trapped in and around Cataloochee Valley, radio collared, and relocated to the Twenty Mile area located in the western portion of the Park in North Carolina. History of bear management has shown that most nuisance Park bears relocated within the Park return to the capture site. Using this knowledge it was believed that by the time the relocated bears return to Cataloochee the young calves should be mobile enough to travel safely with their mothers. Post-release movements of the bears have been monitored and a portion of the bears have in fact been returning. While it is disheartening to lose any of the newborn calves, some mortality is expected and necessary, and considering the amount of predation documented since elk were released, 2008 appears to be an above-average year for calf survival.  

Adult Mortalities
Unfortunately, there were a few adult mortalities in 2007 as well. A total of 5 adult elk were lost during the year. Cow #91, a 3 year-old, died in the Hurricane Creek drainage in early February. Necropsy results came back inconclusive for a cause of death. She had produced her first calf last year (#123, female) which remains healthy and with the herd. Cow #47 died in March in Ela, NC. Again, the exact cause of death is uncertain, but she was 14 years old at the time, which is considered rather old for an elk. Yearling cow #117 was found dead near the Masonic Marker on Balsam Mountain in June and was quite decomposed and predated upon when she was found. Bull #66 was struck by a vehicle along Big Cove Road in Cherokee and was euthanized as a result of his injuries. Finally, yearling bull #109 was heard on mortality in Little Cataloochee on November 5. Necropsy results and disease tests have not been returned yet. 

Elk Bugle Corps
In May, the second season of the Cataloochee Bugle Corps got underway and they have only gained momentum over the last year. This group of volunteers dedicated their time and energy to providing education and visitor assistance to elk-watchers in Cataloochee Valley. In their second season, the 58 volunteers worked more than 5,000 volunteer hours, contacting over 64,000 visitors from May through November. This is the equivalent of having 6 additional full-time Rangers working in Cataloochee! Their enthusiasm and service has generated a lot of positive feedback surrounding the group and their hard work is greatly appreciated. The group will again be serving from May through November of 2009. For information on how to get involved with the Cataloochee Elk Bugle Corps, please email Mark LaShell. 

2009 Outlook
It looks like 2009 will be another exciting year around the Smoky Mountain elk herd. In terms of calf production this spring, there are several young cows that could give birth to their first calf, meaning that 2009 has potential to be another record-setting year for herd recruitment!
Bull elk tend to have the most antler mass at around 10 years old, and there are quite a few bulls at or around the 10-year old mark. This means that as long as there is adequate food available there is a lot of potential for even more spectacular racks to be seen next year. There are also a few rather aggressive younger bulls that will be gaining weight and antler mass, so competition during the 2009 rut should certainly be exciting!

Winter Elk Viewing Tip
Though early mornings and late afternoons are still the most active for elk viewing, on the colder days of winter the elk can often be seen in the fields all day long, particularly when it is overcast. If you make the trip into Cataloochee this winter please drive cautiously as the road is frequently icy, even when there is no snow. 

Report submitted by Joe Yarkovich