A re-introduction of elk to the Itcha Ilgachuz is an enrichment to the area’s biodiversity. Big predators including grizzly and black bears, wolves and cougars will include them in their diet and thereby reduce predation pressure on other big game species like mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
Issues:
- Historical loss of elk in this region
- Unbalanced predator-prey dynamics due to absence of elk, resulting in higher predation on other ungulates
Goals:
- Evaluate possible elk habitat by inventorying flora and fauna
- Identify potential summer and winter ranges
- Establish a self-sustainable herd via transplanting elk from other regions
- Educate interested groups, general public and local communities about responsible natural resource utilization to raise awareness for resource stewardship activities
- Engage the public in elk re-introduction and conservation
- Reduce road density in high value winter habitat areas
| Objectives | Management Direction/Strategies | Measures of Success/Targets | Intent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Maintain the elk range shown on the Elk and Moose map | 1.1 Designate the elk range area shown on the Elk and Moose map as “ungulate winter range” under the Forest and Range Practices Act | Management objectives for elk are not expected to have an impact on the timber harvesting land base so no planning allowance has been allocated | |
| 1.2 Consider available First Nations’ knowledge of elk range in the designation | |||
| 2. Manage resource development and use activities within elk range (see map) by providing adequate forest cover and forage for elk. | 2.1 Ensure that approximately 30 – 50% of the security and snow interception cover within the elk habitat shown on the on Elk and Moose map occurs within patches that are 10 hectares or greater | Provide fire maintained openings within interior Douglas fir that create temporary grasslands or open forest Elk habitat requirements are similar to those of mule deer – see mule deer section | |
| 2.2 Maintain visual screening along main haul roads | |||
| 2.3 Allow for the use of prescribed fire on the areas upslope of Lytton and upslope along Highway 1 | |||
| 2.4 Maintain natural ecosystems in drainages including grasslands that are essential elk habitat | |||
| 3. Manage resource development and use activities within elk range by providing movement opportunities for elk between the two high elevation summer habitats as well as between summer habitats and the low elevation critical winter range habitats | 3.1 Provide a mosaic of age classes within corridors as follows: Maximum 30% removal with 3 metre green up for hiding cover within the corridors At least 30% of the stands must be greater than 16 metres in height at any onetime Maximum opening length is 300 metres (one side). This does not apply when utilizing selective harvesting systems Selective harvesting systems should retain at least 40% basal area and original tree species composition | High elevation summer elk habitats are: | |
| 4. Limit impacts of road access and density on elk populations within their range (see Elk and Moose map) | 4.1 Within elk habitat, minimize to the extent practical the amount of road accessible to 2 or 4-wheel drive vehicles | Roads open to public use within elk range are minimized | |
| 4.2 Use the following directions to guide development, deactivation, rehabilitation, and regulated closures within elk range: Check the seasonal access maps to identify any access management direction for public and industrial use | |||
| 5. Undertake elk conservation efforts in the community/Crown land interface area especially within critical winter range | Minimized elk mortalities No habitat loss near travel corridors |