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Assess Demographic and Physiological Status of Columbian Black-Tailed Deer in Olympic National Park
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Dr. Kurt J. Jenkins, USGS, FRESC, OFS and Dr. Patricia J. Happe, ONP
Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) and Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) are key species of coniferous forest systems of Olympic National Park, Washington. Through herbivory, elk and deer profoundly influence both the composition and structure of forest communities and landscapes. Native ungulates (e.g. deer and elk) also provide prey for healthy populations of cougar (Felis concolor) and black bear (Ursus americanus) in Olympic National Park, and they once supported a population of gray wolves (Canis lupus) before the wolf was extirpated in 1920's. During the last several years, park managers have become concerned about potential declines in Columbian black-tailed deer and elk from some areas in Olympic National Park. In particular, heavy parasitism, emaciation, and hair-loss have been noticed in several low-elevation deer herds, raising questions regarding health and trends in the park's deer. This awareness has lead to an increased interest in developing effective monitoring strategies for black-tailed deer and elk. 
The purpose of this study is to develop and assess methods for monitoring trends in the abundance and health of deer and elk throughout the park. Specifically, we developed methods of monitoring trends in abundance based on counting fecal pellet groups of both deer and elk. We also evaluated using counts of parasite larvae in feces as a possible index of health of individual deer. Our work improves upon previous monitoring methods by correcting for visibility biases that result from the imperfect ability of fieldworkers to see and count all pellet groups present in the dense understory vegetation of Olympic National Park.
This is an ongoing project. We have completed field work for this project and are working on completing a final report.
Jenkins, K. J. 2000. Assess demographic and physiological status of Columbian black-tailed deer in Olympic National Park. USGS Peer Reviewed Revised Study Plan.
Jenkins, K. J., B. M. Manly and L. McDonald. 2001. Demographic and physiological status of Columbian black-tailed deer in Olympic National Park: Annual progress report-FY2001. USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Administrative Report FRESC-OFS-01-02. 40pp.
Jenkins, K. J. and C. Donnellan. 2001. Chemical Immobilization of Columbian Black-tailed Deer in Olympic National Park. USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Administrative Report FRESC-OFS-01-01. 13pp.
Olympic National Park
Western EcoSystems, Inc.
This study is funded by the USGS Natural Resources Preservation Project which supports USGS research to address management issues in the National Parks. Many individuals have contributed to this study, for which we are immensely grateful. In particular, Katherine Beirne and Roger Hoffman, of Olympic National Park, have assisted in providing GIS support and preparing data bases for this project. Drs. Bryan Manly and Lyman McDonald, biometricians with Western EcosySTems, Inc., consulted on the original study design and have conducted many of the statistical analyses. We would like to thank Dave Manson, our lead technician, and the many USGS and NPS seasonal employees who have collected field data for this project, including: Elissa Arnheim, Beth Bierman, Alan Comulada, Carrie Donnellan, Lynn Dwan, Jenn McElligott, Susan Roberts, Kim Sager, Brent Trim, Liz Tuttle. Carrie Donnellan prepared the metadata summaries and has assisted in many aspects of data summary and logistic planning.
Kurt Jenkins
Phone: 360-565-3041
E-mail: kurt_jenkins@usgs.gov
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