Pacific Northwest Research Station

Scientists from state, federal, private, and tribal entities, led by the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service, are developing and evaluating new elk nutrition and habitat use models for management use in Oregon and Washington. These next-generation models

• Reflect key research findings from the last two decades, especially involving elk nutrition and foraging dynamics;
• Include a nutrition and habitat use component;
• Use innovative approaches, combined with large radiotelemetry data sets from GPS collars, to predict where elk will occur across large landscapes;
• Benefit land management plan revisions and habitat management and restoration for elk across all land ownerships in Oregon and Washington; and
• Target summer range habitats, considered a key driver of elk productivity.

The elk modeling project is being conducted in two phases. The first phase entailed development of “Westside” models that apply to elk in western Oregon and Washington (see map). Scientists have completed all analyses for the project, and the team is currently finalizing manuscripts for publications. The second phase of modeling addresses the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon and Washington.

Please continue to visit this Web site for future updates and information about the elk modeling project.

Click on the map to enlarge