A Fence Design for Protecting Aspen Stands from Elk without Impeding Other Wildlife

Nathan W. Seward, Michael J. Lavelle, Justin W. Fischer, and Kurt C. VerCauteren

USDA APHIS Wildlife Services

High densities of elk (Cervus elaphus) can result in concentrated herbivory that may cause the degradation of stands of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides).  A means to restrict elk from aspen stands and alleviate associated damage without impeding the movements and ecological function that other wildlife provide is needed.  Therefore, we designed, constructed, and evaluated a simple fence exclosure at MacGregor Ranch in Estes Park, Colorado.  We monitored the efficacy of the 1 ha exclosure with track plots and remote animal-activated cameras.  The fence successfully excluded elk.  Wildlife that used the exclosure included: beaver (Castor canadensis), black bear (Ursus americanus), bobcat (Felis rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), deer (Odocoileus spp.), mountain lion (Puma concolor), raccoon (Procyon lotor), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and lagomorphs (Leporidae).  We sampled vegetation during March 2004 and 2005 by randomly selecting 90, 1-m² plots inside (n = 45) and outside (n = 45) the exclosure.  Mean aspen sucker height inside the exclosure increased more than outside between 2004 and 2005 (P = 0.03, α = 0.05).  ur study fence is effectively excluding elk and may be useful on a larger scale and in a variety of settings.  Further evaluation of our fence design is warranted.

corresponding author:

Nathan W. Seward
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
National Wildlife Research Center
4101 LaPorte Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154
Nathan.W.Seward@aphis.usda.gov