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SUSITNAHYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
PHASE I FINAL R"EPORT
BIG GAME STUDIES
Volume IV CARIBOU
Kenneth W.Pitcher
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no.410
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Submitted to the Alaska POiwer Authority
March 1982
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SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
PHASE I FINAL REPORT •
BIG GAME STUDIES
VOLUME IV.CARIBOU
Kenneth W.Pitcher
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FI SH AND GAME
Submi tted to the
Alaska Power Authority
March,1982
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Alaska Resources
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PREFACE
In early 1980,the Alaska Department of Fish and Game contracted with
the Alaska Power Authority to collect information useful in assessing
the impacts of the proposed Susitna Hydroelectric Project on moose,
caribou,wolf,wolverine,black bear,brown bear and Dall sheep.This
information,along with information on furbearers,small mammals,birds,
and plant ecology collected by the University of Alaska,is to be used by
Terrestrial Environmental Specialists,Inc.of Phoenix,New York,in
preparation of exhibits for the Alaska Power Authority's application for
a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license to construct the project.
The studies were broken into phases which conformed to the anticipated
licensing schedule.Phase I studies,January 1,1980 to June 30,1982,
were intended to provide information needed to support a FERC license
application.If the decision is made to submit the application,studies
will continue into Phase II to provide additional information during the
-anticipated 2 to 3 year period between application and final FERC approval
of the license •.
Wildlife studies did not fit well into this schedule.Data collection could
not start until early spring 1980,and had to be terminated during fall 1981
to allow for analysis and report writing.(Data continued to be collected
during winter 1981-82,but could not be included in the Phase I report.)
The design of the hydroelectric project had not been determined.Little
data was ~vailable on wildlife use of the immediate project area,although
some species had been intensively studied nearby.Consequently,it was
nec.essary to start with fairly general studies of wildlife populations
to determine how each species used the area and identify potential impact
mechanisms.This was the thrust of the Phase I Big Game Studies.During
Phase II,we expect to narrow the focus of our studies to evaluate specific
impact mechanisms,quantify impacts and evaluate mitigation measures.
Therefore,the Final Phase I Report is not intended as a complete assessment
of the impacts of the Susitna Hydroelectric Project on big game.
The reports are organized into the following eight volumes:
Volume I.
Volume II.
Volume III.
Volume IV.
Volume V.
Volume VI.
Volume VII.
Volume VIII.
Big Game Summary Report
Moose -Downstream
Moose ~Upstream
Caribou
Wolf
Black Bear and Brown Bear
Wolverine
Dall Sheep
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SUMMARY
The Nelchina caribou herd which has occupied a range of about
20,000 mi 2 in southcentral Alaska has been important to hunters
because of its size and proximity to population centers.Cur-
rentlYi a proposal is being studied to construct a large hydro-
electric project on the Susi tna River in the western portion of
the Nelchina range.The proposed impoundments would inundate a
very small portion of apparent low quality caribou habitat.Con-
cern has been expressed however,that the impoundments and asso-
ciated development might serve as barriers to caribou movement,
increase mortality,decrease use of nearby areas and tend to iso-
late "subherds."Overall objectives of this study were to evalu~
ate potential impacts of the proposed hydroelectric proj ect on
Nelchina caribou and to suggest possible mitigating measures.
Because of the changeable nature of caribou movement patterns
short-term studies of distribution and movements must be tempered
with historical perspective.Fortunately,the Nelchina herd has
been studied continuously since about 1948 and records previous
to that time have been reviewed.The primary methodology for
this study was the repetitive relocation of radio-collared cari-
bou.Population estimates were made with a modified version of
the aerial photo-direct count-extrapolation census procedure.
Caribou from the main Nelchina herd were found during winter pri-
marily on the Lake Louise Flat,foothills of the Alphabet Hills
and middle portions of the Gakona and Chistochina River drainages
areas distant from the proposed hydroelectric development.Cari-
bou primarily utilized open spruce forest during this period at
elevations ranging from 2,100 to 4,300 feet (x=2,779).
During spring migration females moved across the Lake Louise Flat
onto the calving grounds in the eastern Talkeetna Mountains on a
broad front from Lone Butte to Kosina Creek.Some caribou util-
ized the Susi tna River in the area of the proposed Watana im-
poundment as a travel route.A small portion of the herd ap-
i
peared to migrate across the plateau north of the Susitna
River crossing the Susitna between Deadman Creek and Jay
Creek enroute to the calving grounds.Open spruce forest
was still the primary vegetation type utilized,however,
shrub lands and tundraherbaceous types became increasingly
important.Females were found at elevations ranging from
1,900 to 5,600 feet (x=2886).Males lagged behind females
during spring migration using mostly spruce forests.
Elevations averaged 2,280 feet,ranging from 2,000 to 3,100.
During the calving period,virtually all females from the main
Nelchina herd were found from Kosinia Creek·into the Oshetna
River in the eastern Talkeetna Mountains.Tundra-herbaceous ve-
getation accounted for 75%of the sightings and shrublands for
25%.Elevations for females ranged from 2,400 to 5,400 feet
(x=3871).Nelchina bulls were found scattered throughout the
range during calving mostly in transit to summer ranges.Spruce
forests were still the primary vegetation type used by bulls.
Elevations averaged 2,872 feet (range 2,100 -4,400).
Summer range for Nelchina females was the northern and eastern
slopes of the Talkeetna Mountains between 3,300 and 6,000 feet
elevation (x=4,250).Tundra-herbaceous was the dominant vege-
tative type utilized followed by shrublands.Bulls were scat-
tered in "bull pastures"in the high country throughout the
Nelchina range.Shrublands and tundra-herbaceous were the main
vegetative types utilized.Elevations ranged from 2,200 to 4,600
feet (x=3,572).
During autumn considerable dispersal,particularly of females,
occurred as caribou moved out of the Talkeetna Mountains across
the Lake Louise Flat into the Alphabet Hills then back to the
west.Limited use of the Watana impoundment area was documented
during this period.The sexes became mixed particularly late in
September.Use of vegetative types and elevations of relocations
were the most varied of any seasonal period.
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During the rut males and females appeared to be well mixed
and the herd moved from the foothills of the Talkeetna
Mountains eastward across the Lake Louise Flat.Spruce
forest was the principal vegetative type used during this
period while shrub lands received minor use.Caribou ranged
in elevation from 2,200 to 3,900·feet (x=2,832).
Historically,Nelchina caribou have used the same calving grounds
however considerable variation in summer and winter range use has
been noted.Migratory routes,although somewhat traditional,
have varied depending on the relationship of the calving grounds
to summer and winter ranges.
On a year around basis habitat use by Nelchina bulls and cows was
significantly different.Use of shrublands and bare substrate
were similar while bulls occurred more frequently in spruce for-
est and at lower elevations while cows were found more frequently
in tundra-herbaceous vegetation and at higher elevations.
It appeared (based on the year around relocations of radio-col-
lared caribou)that at least three distinct subherds withsep-
arate calving areas exi sted in addition to the main Nelchina
herd.These included the upper Talkeetna River (400 animals),
Chunilna Hills (350 animals)and upper Susi tna-Nenana (1000
animals)subherds.Another subherd probably occurs in the upper
.-Gakona River and others may exist in the Alaska Range and western
Talkeetna Mountains.
,.,...
In October 1980,the Nelchina herd -was estimated to contain
18,7J.3 caribou and in October 1981,the herd was estimated at-20,730.Herd composition in October 1981 was estimated at 49%
females ~1 year,30%males ~1 year and 21%calves.
Calf survival to 11 months of age (May 1980 to April 1981)was
-estimated at 0.43.Average annual natural mortality for caribou
iii
I I
one year old and older was estimated at 0.07 for females and
0.14 for males.Reported hunter harvest of Nelchina caribou
averaged 670 animals between 1972 and 1981.
It was apparent from historical records (and to a lesser extent
from movements of radio-collared animals)that the proposed
Watana impoundment would intersect a major migratory route.
Crossings of the impoundment area and use of range to the north-
west wi 11 probably increase as herd size increases.It is not
known precisely how project construction will affect the caribou.
The impoundment could prove to be a barrier to movement causing
abandonment of a portion of the range or dividing of the herd.
The migratory route could be changed by extending it around the
eastern end of the reservoir.Caribou could continue to cross at
tradi tional points and could experience increased mortality be-
cause of hazards such as ice shelving,ice sheets,overflow and
wind-blown glare ice,particularly during spring migration.De-
velopments and activities associated with project construction
and operation such as roads,railroads,airfields and recrea-
tional activities of project personnel would undoubtedly nega-
tively impact Nelchina caribou although the extent is unknown.
The proximity of the calving grounds to the Watana impoundment
and the probability of increased human access is of concern.The
Susitna hydroelectric project should be viewed as one of a number
of probable developments which will occur on the Nelchina caribou
range.While no one action may have catastrophic results the
cumulative impact will likely be a reduced ability for the
Nelchina range to support large numbers of caribou.
It is recommended that in Phase I I a pool of radio-collared
caribou be maintained to monitor caribou use of the impoundment
area.Population status should be monitored with annual censuses
and composition sampling.A study of causes and extent of mor-
tality of caribou calves should be considered.
iv
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary
Li st of Tables
Li st of Figures
Introduction
Methods
Results and Discussion of Baseline Study
Distribution and Movements
SUbherds
Habitat Use
Seasonal Elevation Patterns
Population Size and Composi tion
Mortality
Potential Impacts of Proj ect Construction
Recommendations for Phase II Studie.s
Acknowledgements
References
Appendix I
v
Page
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vi
viii
1
5
9
9
21
28
30
30
45
46
54
56
57
62
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.Historical range use of Nelchina caribou.
Table 2.Crosstabulations of radio-collared caribou
relocations from the main Nelchina herd by
habi tat and sex.
Page
12
29
caribou relocations from the main Nelchina
herd by habi tat and season.-
Table 3.Crosstabulation
Table 4.Crosstabulation
of
of
radio-collared
radio-collared
male
female
31
32
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caribou relocations from the main Nelchina
herd by habi tat and season.
Table 5.Crosstabulation of radio-collared female 33
caribou relocations from the upper Susitna-
Nenana subherd byhabi tat and season.
Table 6.Crosstabulation of radio-collared female 34
caribou relocations from the upper Talkeetna
.River subherd by habi tat and season.
Table 7.Crosstabulation of radio-collared female 35
,....
caribou relocations from the Chunilna Hills
subherd by habi tat and season.
Table 8.Nelchina caribou postcalving sex and age com-38
posi tion data,5 July 1980.
vi
LIST OF TABLES (cont'd)
Page
Table 9.Nelchina caribou fall sex and age composition 38
data,14 October 1980.-
Table 10.Nelchina caribou postcalving sex and age com-41
posi tion data,25 June 1981.
Table 11.Nelchina caribou fall sex and age composition 41
data,19 October 1981.
~I
Table 12.Comparison of proportions of males ~l year,
females ~1 year and calves east and west of
Richardson Highway during 19 October 1981
composi tion counts.
Table 13.Nelchina caribou herd population estimates,
in fall unless otherwise noted.
43
44
Table 14.Reported hunter harvest of the Nelchina 47
caribou herd,1972-1981.
vii
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Fig.1.
Fig.2.
LISTQF FIGURES
Ne1china caribou range with basic geographic
features.
Distribution of main Ne1china radio-collared
caribou,14 April 1980 through 29 September
1981.
Page
2
10
Fig.3.Distribution of Ne1china
caribou during winter,1
through 31 March 1981.
radio-collared
December 1980
11
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Fig.4.
Fig.5.
Fig.5.
Division of Ne1china range into areal units··
based upon topography,vegetation and caribou
use.
Distribution of Ne1china radio-collared
caribou during spring migration,1 April
through 14 May 1980 and 1981.
Distribution of Nelchina radio-collared
caribou during the calving period,15 May
through 10 June 1980 and 1981.
13
14
16
caribou cows during summer,
31 July 1980 and 1981.
Fig.7.Distribution of Ne1china radio-collared
11 June through
17
Fig.8.Distribution of Ne1china
caribou bulls during summer,
31 July 1980 and 1981.
viii
radio-collared
11 June through
19
LIST OF FIGURES (cont'd)
Fig.9.Distribution of Nelchina radio-collared
Page
20
caribou during autumn,1 August through 30
September 1980 and 1981.
Fig.10.Distribution of Nelchina radio-collared
caribou during the rut,1-20 October 1980.
22
Fig.11.Distribution of upper Talkeetna River radio-24
collared caribou during the study period,17
April 1980 thro~gh 22 September 1981.
Fig.12.Distribution of Chunilna Hills radio-collared
caribou during the study period,18 April
1980 through 8 September 1981.
26
Fig.13.Distribution of upper Susi tna-Nenana radio-27
collared caribou during study period,9 May
1980 through 22 September 1981.
Fig.14.Seasonal elevation use by female and male 36
caribou from the main Nelchina herd.
Fig.15.Location of female-calf postcalving aggre-
gation during 24 June 1981 census.
Fig.16.Area where historically the Nelchina caribou
herd crossed the proposed impoundment area.
ix
40
48
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INTRODUCTION
The Nelchina caribou (Rangifer tarandus)herd,one of 22 herds in
Alaska (Davis 1978),has been important to sport and subsistence
hunters because of its size and proximity to population centers
in southcentral Alaska.Between 1954 and 1981 over 100,000
caribou were killed by hunters (Skoog 1968;unpublished data
Alaska Department of Fish and Game).In 1981 6,662 people ap-
plied for 1,600 permi ts to hunt for Nelchina caribou.
The herd occupies an area of approximately 20,000 mi 2 (Fig.1)
bounded by four mountain ranges:the Alaska Range to the north,
the Wrangell Mountains on the east,the Chugach Mountains to the
south and the Talkeetna Mountains to the west (Hemming 1971).
The Nelchina range contains a variety of habitats ranging from
spruce-covered lowlands to steep,barren mountains.Human de-
velopment is largely limited to the peripheries of the Nelchina
range and consists primarily of the Alaska Railroad,Parks
Highway,Denali Highway,Richardson Highway,Trans-Alaska
Pipeline and Glenn Highway.
Because of its importance and accessibility,the Nelchina herd
has been the most intensiveiy studied caribou herd in Alaska
(Doerr 1979).The U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service initiated re-
search in 1948 and continued through 1959.The Alaska Department
of Fish and Game has been continually involved with the Nelchina
herd since statehood including intensive research and population,
harvest,distribution,disease and range monitoring (Skoog 1968,
Lentfer 1965,McGowan 1966,Glenn 1967,Hemming and Glenn 1968,
1969,Pegau and Hemming 1972,Nei1and 1972,Pegau and Bos 1972,
Pegau et al.1973,Bos 1973, 1974,Alaska Department of Fish &
Game Survey and Inventory Reports 1970-1980).Skoog's (1968)
doctoral dissertation,a major work on caribou biolo.gy ,dealt
largely wi th the Nelchina herd.
There is currently under study a proposal to construct a large
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IV
Figure 1.Nelchlna caribou range with ba.le geographic featurel.
J j I ••J J ,J .I J .1 ,••J J 1 »)
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hydroelectric project on the Susitna River in the western portion
of the Nelchina caribou range.Impacts of the development,which
may include two dams and impoundments,access roads and electri-
cal transmission lines,on the Nelchina herd are unclear.Habi-
tat loss due to inundation does not appear to be a serious con-
sideration as less than 1%or .the total Nelchina range would be
involved.Skoog (1968)concluded that caribou usage of this area
was largely limited to transient animals although they occasion-
ally spend time in the area in spring using snow free areas.The
proposed Watana impoundment could serve as a barrier to migrating
caribou..The area along the Susi tna River between Deadman Creek
and Jay Creek has served as a traditional migration route both
during spring migration and the post-calving shift (Hemming
1971).Ice shelving along the edges of,the reservoir has been
suggested as a potential source of mortality to migrating caribou
(Hanscom and Osterkamp 1980).Roads,railroads and electrical
transmission lines have all been reported to disrupt caribou
movements (Klein 1971,Vilmo 1975,Cameron et ale 1979).Distur-
bance associated with construction and maintenance of the hydro-
electric facilities could result in a reduction of caribou use of
nearby areas as shown for the Prudhoe Bay oil fields (Cameron
et ale 1979).Proximity of the tradi tional calving grounds to
the Watana impoundment is of some concern because of the impor-
tance of the area to the Nelchina herd and increased human
activi ty in the area implicit to development.Suspected II sub-
herds"in the general area of the proposed impoundment could
become more isolated by development of the Susitna hydroelectric
project depending on their movement patterns and routes and their
reactions to the impoundments and related developments.
Overall objectives of this project were to evaluate the potential
impacts of proposed Susi tna hydroelectric development on the
Nelchina caribou herd and to suggest possible mitigating actions.
Specific objectives included:(1)determination of movement.pat-
terns,migration routes and timing of maj or movements with em-
phasis on activities occurring in the vicinity of proposed de-
3
velopment;(2)delineation of subherds (based on separate calving
areas);(3)estimation of numbers and sex and age composition of
the main Nelchina herd and subherds;and (4)determination of
habi tat utilization of Nelchina caribou.
Complicating the interpretation of data gathered during short-
term studies of caribou migratory routes is the well recognized
tendency for changes in use of winter and summer ranges (Skoog
1968).The analysis of data resulting from this study must rely
heavily on historical information.It is fortunate that results
of intensive research by Skoog (1968)and others on the Nelchina
caribou herd are avai lable and they are used extensively.
4
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METHODS
Data on movement patterns,migration routes,timing of major
movements,subherd status and habitat use were collected by
periodic relocations of radio-collared animals.It was assumed
that the behavior of radio-collared caribou was representative of
the herd in general and I did not make observations indicating
otherwise.Caribou were captured by use of immobilizing drugs
(etorphine (00-99)and xylazine (Rompun)J administered with pro-
j ecti Ie syringes (Cap-Chur equipment)shot from a helicopter.
Radio-collars in the 152.000-153.000 MHz range,purchased from
Telonics Inc.,were used.Radio-collared caribou were relocated
from a fixed-wing aircraft (Cessna 180,185 or PA-lS-150)equip-
ped with two Yagi antennas,one attached to wing struts on each"
side of the aircraft.Antenna leads were attached to a right/
left switch box coupled to a radio-tracking receiver/scanner.
Animals were located by balancing the transmitter signal between
the two antennas through use of the left/right switch and orien-
tation of the aircraft and following the signal.
Initially (April and May 1980),41 caribou were radio-collared.
Capture related mortalities (5)and shed collars soon after cap-
ture (2)reduced the number of active animals to 34.These in-
cluded three animals in the upper Susitna -Nenana area,one in
the Chunilna Hills,·three in the upper Talkeetna River and 27 in
the main Nelchina herd.During the first year (April 1980 to
April 1981)one radio-collared caribou was killed by a hunter,
two were apparently killed by wolves,one died of injuries pro-
bably received from another caribou and five adult males lost
their collars after shedding their antlers in November and
December.In April and May 1981 five males from the main
Nelchina herd and two females from the Chunilna Hills were
radio-collared bringing the total number of active radio-collared
caribou up to 32.The geographical di stribution was:upper
Susi tna -Nenana,three females;Chunilna Hills,two females;
upper Talkeetna River,two females;and main Nelchina,8 males
5
and 17 females.Radio-collared caribou were classified as be-
longing to the main Nelchina herd or a particular subherd based
on their locations during calving (females)or during the rut
(males).Radio-collared caribou relocation data included in this
report were collected between 14 April 1980 and 22 September
1981.Sequential sightings for each radio-collared animal are
presented in Appendix I.
A modified version of the aerial photo-direct count-extrapolation
census procedure (Hemming and·Glenn 1969,Davis et ale 1979,
Doerr 1979)was used to estimate the size of the Nelchina herd.
This technique is composed of three separate procedures:(1)a
complete count of all animals in the post-calving aggregation;
(2)a composition count of these same animals to determine the
proporti9n of adult females;and (3)representative fall compo-
sition sampling of the entire herd to determine the proportions
of females,males and calves (Doerr 1979).Acceptance of four
assumptions is necessary for the APDCE technique:(1)all fe-
males in the herd are present in the post-calving aggregations;
(2)adult females are randomly di stributed throughout the post-
calving aggregationsi (3)the sex and age cohorts are randomly
distributed throughout the herd during fall;and (4)mortality of
adul t females from the time of post-calving aggregation to the
fall composition counts is zero (Davis et ale 1979)or is ac-
counted for.An evaluation of these assumptions by Davis et al.
(1979)indicated that all but assumption #3 were valid and that
the collection of representative fall composition data was the
most difficult procedure.
6
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where
FP =
Na =
P f =
~Mf =
R =~
-
The fall population estimate is calculated from the following
equation.
estimated fall population;
number of animals in the postcalving aggregation;
proportion of females in post-calving aggregation;
mortali ty of females from the time of post-calving
counts until the fall;and
ratio of caribou other than females to females in the
fall.
Reconnaissance flights were made in a C-180 to determine when
caribou were suitably aggregated to census.PA-18-l50 Super Cubs
were used to survey the aggregations and the caribou herds were
ei ther photographed or directly counted.Hand-held,motor
dri ven,35 rom cameras were used to photograph caribou groups.
The 35 rom color slides of caribou groups were proj ected on a
paper screen and caribou images marked.The number of images
were then counted.
A helicopter (Bell 206B)was used to sample the post-calving ag-
gregations,the herd during the breeding season and the herd in
April to estimate proportions of females,males and calves.
Groups of caribou were approached from the rear until the sex of
each animal older than calves could be determined from the ex-
ternal gentalia (presence or absence of the vulva).
Methodology for data storage,retrieval and analysis was included
in the 1980 report for data management:biometrics (wildlife eco-
logyjbig game).
The study area consisted of the entire range of the Nelchina
caribou herd as detailed in the Introduction (Fig.1).However,
monitoring frequency of radio-collared animals was much more fre-
quent when they were in the vicinity of the proposed impound-
7
ments.
Estimates of annual adul t survival rates were made from radio-
collared animals using a formula provided by Trent and Rongstad
(1974)which is based on the number of mortalities detected and
the period of time the radio-collared animals were moni tored.
An estimate of calf survival to 11 months of age was made by mul-
tiplying the calf to female ratio obtained in April by the es-
timate for annual survival of females <?:1 year then dividing by
the ratio of calves to females <?:1 year at birth (Fuller and Keith
1981).
8
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Distribution and Movements:Main Nelchina Herd
Current distribution:year around use of the Nelchina range by
.....radio-collared caribou from the main herd during this study is
portrayed by Fig.2 and encompassed an area of about 7,000 mi 2 •
Two major areas which were used extensively at times in the past
received minimal use during the study period.These 'areas were
the northwestern portion of the range including drainages of the-Chuli tna,Nenana and upper Susi tna Rivers and the far eastern
portion of the range including the Mentasta and Wrangell
Mountains.
Winter:between 1 December 1980 and 31 March 1981 the Nelchina
herd was located on the Lake Louise Flat and middle portions of
_the Gakona and Chistochina River drainages (Fig.3).During
early winter (2-5 December 1980 survey)perhaps 25%of the herd
was in the southwestern portion of the Lake Loui se Flat around
Slide Mountain and the Little Nelchina River but by 12 February
1981 they had rej oined the rest of the herd.Considerable use of
the western foothills of the Alphabet Hills was noted.
Nelchina caribou have used numerous winter ranges during the past
30 years (Table 1,Fig.4)ranging from the Nenana-Yanert Fork
r"drainages to the Talkeetna River east to the Mentasta and
Wrangell Mountains (Skoog 1968,Hemming 1971).
Spring Migration:the primary migratory route from winter range
on the Lake Louise Flat to the calving grounds in the eastern
Talkeetna Mountains was westward across the Flat from Crosswind
Lake and Lake Louise into the Talkeetna Mountains on a front from
Lone Butte to Kosina Creek (Fig.5).Based on sequential sight-
ings of radio-collared caribou and sightings of tracks and uncol-
lared caribou it appeared that many animals used the frozen Sus-
itna'River between the Oshetna River and Kosina Creek as a travel
-9
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Flgu{e 4.DIvision of Nelchlna rang.Into .real unite baeed upon topography.vegetation and oarlbou ue.(modified fr,om Ikoog 1888).
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route in the spring of 1981.In the spring of 1980,one animal
(Appendix 1:182)which was captured in the vicinity of Butte
Lake moved south and crossed the Susitna near the mouth of Dead-
man Creek.Historically many animals used this route to the cal-
vinggrounds after wintering in upper Susi tna-Nenana drainages
(Skoog 1968).It was apparent-from the relocation records (Fig.
5)that most males lagged behind the females and remained on the
winter range longer in the spring .
Calving Period:observations of radio-collared females during
the calving period (15 May -10 June)indicated that calving oc-
curred in drainages of Kosina Creek,Goose Creek,Black River and
Oshetna River (Fig.6).Observations of females outside this
area during the calving period were of nonbreeders (Appendix 1:
70,·182)which reached the calving grounds later in the calving
period.During the calving period,radio-collared Nelchina bulls
were found in a wide variety of locations mostly in transit to
summer ranges.
Since 1949,the first year for which records are available,Nel-
china caribou have utilized an area of about 1,000 mi 2 in the
northern Talkeetna Mountains for calving (Skoog 1968,Hemming
1971,Bos 1974).While the precise areas utilized have varied,
calving has taken place between Fog Lakes and the Little Nelchina
River between about 3,000 and 4,500 feet elevation.The only
deviations have been during years with extremely heavy snow ac-
cumulations when some calving took place during the migration to
the traditional calving grounds (Skoog 1968,Lentfer 1965,Bos
1973).
Summer:the female-calf segment of the Nelchina herd spent the
summer period (11 June through 31 July)of both 1980 and 1981 in
.the northern and eastern slopes of the Talkeetna Mountains
(Fig.7).Observations of radio-collared females during thi s
period ranged from Fog Creek to the Little Nelchina River and
Caribou Creek but most observations centered around the upper
15
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Oshetna River.Summering radio-collared males were found in many
locations in the high country of the Ne1china Basin (Fig.8);
including the'Chu1i tna Mountains,the Jay Creek -.Coa1 Creek
area,the Clearwater Mountains,the Alphabet Hills,the upper
Gakona River,Deadman Creek and many locations in the Talkeetna
Mountains.Skoog (1958)referred to additional summer "bull
pastures".in the upper Nenana,Chickaloon and Talkeetna River
drainages.It was obvious from relocations of radio-collared
animals (Figs.7,8)that the female segment of the herd was a
relatively cohesive unit during this period while small groups of
males occurred in widely dispersed locations.
Hi storica11y,the female-calf segment of the Ne1china herd has
prima17i1y summered in two areas;the eastern Talkeetna Mountains
(Fig 4:Unit 12)and across the Susitna River in the Brushkana,
Butte,Deadman,Watana,Jay and Coal Creeks complex (Fig.4:
Units 4,5)(Skoog 1968,Hemming 1971).In 1960 and 1961 some
females and calves summered in the Alphabet Hills and
Amphi theater Mountains (Skoog 1968).Postca1ving and summer
movements of varying proportions of the female-calf segment
(ranging from 0-100%)from the calving grounds and summer range
in the Talkeetna Mountains across the Susitna River occurred in
most years between 1950 and 1973.Timing of major movements
ranged from mid-June through July.Crossings apparently occurred
between Deadman Creek and the big bend of the Susi tna.
Autumn:this period (1 August through 31 September)was a time
of considerable movement and dispersal by cows and bulls in both
1980 and 1981 (Fig.9).It appeared that considerable mingling
of the sexes occurred compared to the obvious'segregation which
was apparent in June and July.In mid to late August 1980 a por-
tion of the main summering concentration moved out of the
Talkeetna Mountains onto the western portion of the Lake Louise
Flat and in some cases into the Alphabet Hills.The exact routes
of movement were not determined,however it seemed that while a
few animals may have crossed the Susitna River in the area of the
18
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Figure 8.Distribution of Nelchlna radio-collared caribou b.ulls during summer,11 June through 31 July.1980 and 1981.
-
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proposed Watana impoundment most probably moved onto the Flat
further to the east.Through September the distribution remained
relatively stable with the main herd divided between the north-
eastern Talkeetna Mountains,the Lake Louise Flat and the Alpha-
bet Hills.
By mid-August 1981 most of the females had moved out of the Tal-
keetna Mountains and were scattered over the Lake Louise Flat as
far north as the Alphabet Hills.By early September the herd was
even more dispersed as a number of females had moved back into
the eastern Talkeetna Mountains while others remained in the
Alphabet Hills and Lake Louise Flat.In late September a large
segment of the herd was in the lower Oshetna River -Big Bones
Ridge area.Again in 1981 as in 1980 limited use of the area
which would be flooded by the upper portion of the Watana im-
poundment probably occurred.
Historically,Nelchina caribou have rutted in a number of lo-
cations (Fig.4,Table 1)however range units 13 (Lake Louise
Flat)and 12 (eastern Talkeetna Mountains).have been the most
widely used.Range unit 5 (Deadman Lake area)was also used ex-
tensively during the rut in many of the years when major segments
of the herd summered in the area.
Subherds
Eide (1980)suspected that subherds with separate calving areas
21
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22
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existed in several areas of the Nelchina range.He based this
conjecture on reports of sighting of animals,including young
calves,in these locations during all seasons including the
calving period.Locations of these possible subherds were the
Watana Creek Hills (upper Susi tna-Nenana drainages),the upper
Talkeetna River,Chunilna Hills,Alaska Range and Gakona River.
Because of their proximity to the proposed hydroelectric develop-
ment and potential for increased isolation,radio-collars were
placed on animals in three of the suspected subherds;Talkeetna
River,Chunilna Hills and upper Susi tna-Nenana River drainages.
Because of the changeable nature of caribou movements and the
short duration of the study the results are tentative.
Upper Talkeetna River:two adult females and one adult male were
collared on 18 April 1981.These animals were relocated 50 times
and were always found in drainages of the upper Talkeetna River
or in the upper reaches of the nearby Chickaloon River (Fig.11).
One female raised a calf in 1980 and both raised calves in 1981.
The male spent the summer of 1980 in the mountains west of the
Talkeetna River and then lost his collar in the upper Talkeetna
River in November 1980.I have seen,incidental to radio-
tracking flights,small groups of caribou including cows and
calves in most of the side drainages of the upper Talkeetna
River.This appears to be a legitimate,resident subherd pro-
bably composed of 400 animals.Some overlap with the main
Ne1china herd occurred.I located a radio-collared female from
the main Ne1china herd on the Talkeetna River on 1 June 1981.
Historically (1956-57,1961-64),major segments of the Nelchina
herd wintered in the Talkeetna River area (Skoog 1968).It seems
that a temporary influx of large numbers of caribou could either
bolster or draw animals away from a small subherd.Chuni1na
Hills:in 1980 one adult bull and one adult female were collared
in late April.The female died wi thin a month after capture.
The bull remained in the Chunilna Hills through November when it
shed its collar.Two additional females were collared in the
spring of 1981,both of which subsequently gave birth to calves
23
~
~
*~~~
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../.~
/-
r/
~
--_.,,;
<J/
/'
J/"
.....-.,-~.....---
)f
'--,-"
..-/
...-'--
._._-~
,,_F---',-,~
-'..-_/-------
"~~
!\J
~
Figure 11.Distribution of Upper Talk.etna RlvI.,radio-collared caribou during Itudy parlod,17 April,
1980 throLigh 22 September,1981.<!>=female.,'ll!=males .
)I ]I J I J J J J
••
B )J J J I
F",
I
,....
.-
-
in the area.Relocations of Chuni1na Hills caribou are shown in
Fig.12.No overlap with radio-collared animals from the main
herd or other·subherds was noted although one female did move
across the Talkeetna River.The largest group seen in the
Chuni1na Hills was about 125 caribou although I have received
unconfirmed reports of 200-300 animals in the area.This appears
to be a resident subherd numbering 350 animals.Upper Susitna-
Nenana:four adult females and one adult male were radio-col-
lared in early May 1980.One of the females migrated to the main
Nelchina calving area,summered in the Talkeetna Mountains,mi-
grated back through the upper Susitna-Nenana area in the fall and
rejoined the main Ne1china herd during the rut and early winter
on the Lake Louise Flat.She was subsequently killed by wolves.
The other three females remained in the upper Susitna-Nenana area
throughout the study period (Fig.13),two producing calves in
1980 and two having young in 1981.The bull summered in the
Clearwater Mountains then joined the main Ne1china herd during
the rut in the Lake Louise Flat after which it shed its collar.
Two other main Ne1china radio-collared bulls spent portions of
summers in the upper Susi tna-Nenana area.It appears that a
resident subherd of 1,000 caribou exists in this area,however
the situation is confounded by movements of animals from the main
Ne1china herd through the area and by use of the area by sum-
mering bulls from the main Ne1china herd.Between 1955 and 1968
this area was a primary wintering area for much of the Ne1china
herd and during many years it has been important summer range
(Skoog 1968;Hemming 1971).Alaska Range:I have received un-
confirmed reports of females with calves occurring along the
southern slopes of the Alaska Range between the Susitna River and
the Richardson Highway during summer.I have seen only bulls in
the area during summer but have not rigorously surveyed the area.
Upper Gakona-Chi stochina Rivers:Again I have received reports
of a resident subherd in this area.A reconnaissance survey of
the area on 9 June 1981 produced sightings of a group of 20 cows,
some of which had calves,and a group of 12 bulls.One radio-
collared bull,captured with a segment of the main Ne1china herd
25
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II)
a
~
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'1:11•~-
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-'1:11
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27
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in the spring of 1981 spent the summer of 1981 in the area but
was located with the main Nelchina herd on 17 October 1981 at the
end of the rut.This is probably a small subherd which mingles
with the main Nelchina herd during some winters and overlaps with
summering bulls from the main herd.
I suspect another subherd(s)is present in the western Talkeetna
Mountains based on sightings made by other biologists during the
study period.Bulls are frequently seen during summer in scat-
tered locations throughout the area,however I received reports
of females with calves from two locations,the Wells Mountain
area and the alpine area between Willow and Li ttle Willow Creeks.
Habitat Use
I examined habitat use by caribou in the main Nelchina herd and
the Talkeetna River,Chunilna Hills and upper Susitna-Nenana sub-
herds by recording vegetation type and elevation on each reloca-
tion of radio-collared caribou.The vegetation classifications
were simplifications of Viereck and Dyrness IS (1981)level I
categories.My inability to precisely classify vegetative cover
from an aircraft plus the fact that snow covered ground vege-
tation during much of the year precluded more precise classifi-
cation in most cases .Categories used included:spruce forest
(virtually no use of deciduous or mixed forest types was seen),
tundra and herbaceous,shrubland,and bare substrate.For sea-
sonal analyses the following categories were used;calving,20
May-10 June;summer,11 June-3 July;autumn,1 August-30
September;rut,1-20 October;winter,20 October-31 March;spring
migration 1 April-19 May.
In the main Nelchina herd habitat use by bulls and cows was sig-
nificantly different (P 0.01).Use of shrublands and bare sub-
strate was similar while bulls were found more often in spruce
forest and cows in tundra and herbaceous vegetative types
(Table 2).This is likely related to the tendency for bulls to
28
-
1 1 ])])]1 ]j J j 1 1
Table 2.Crosstabulation of radio-collared caribou relocations from.the
main Nelchina herd by habitat and sex.
Vr,RG[.i6
---~-~--I~-~~----I·-------I~'I r
COUNT I
COL peT IFEMALE MALE
I
IF HI I
ROW
TOTAl.
N
\.D
1 •
srr:ucr FCJRE$T
2.
Tl't'[,1;4-HERR.
3.
<;H r 1./!.:L ..~.~.J D
6.
nr r [SUGSTRATE
I l1E>T 55 1
I 34.2 I 50.I]I
-J--------I-----~--I
I 122 I 21 I
r 36.1')I 19.4 J-1--------1------·-1
I HI I 26 1.
T ?-3.9 I 24.1 I
-l--~-----I-~------I
I 20 I 6 1
I 5.'3 I 5.6 I
.111
3R .3
143
32.0
107
23.9
26
5.8
-I~----·--I--------ICOLUMN
TOTAL
3Y:j
75.8
HIe
24.2
'.41
luCl.n
[II!n'l sr'UARE =13.0n1Bl WITH ~DEGREES OF FREEDOM.SIGNIFICANCE =.0.;:1 4 [,
remain on winter ranges longer in the spring (Fig.5)and to
spend spring and summer months at lower elevations (Fig.14).
Both male and female radio-collared caribou from the main
Nelchina herd showed significant (P 0.001)differences in sea-
sonal habitat use (Tables 3,4).The main differences were heavy
use of spruce forests during the rut,winter and spring and in-
creased use of the tundra-herbaceous type during calving and sum-
mer.Both sexes occurred in shrublands with nearly equal fre-
quency (FF=23.9%,MM=24.1%i Tables 3,4)however seasonal use
patterns were different.Female use of shrublands occurred
nearly equally in spring,calving and summer while male use
peaked in summer and autumn.
Radio-collared caribou from the upper Susitna-Nenana,Talkeetna
River and Chunilna Hills subherds were primarily found in tundra-
herbaceous vegetative type (Tables 5,6,7).Shrublands were
also used frequently by animals from the upper Susitna-Nenana and
Chunilna Hills areas.
Seasonal Elevation Patterns
Male and female radio-collared caribou from the main Nelchina
herd were located at similar elevations during autumn,the rut
and winter (Fig.14).During spring migration,calving and sum-
mer females were found at higher elevations than males.During
spring and calving males lagged far behind the females remaining
longer on winter range (Fig.5)and then often spending the sum-
mer period in the lower shrublands.
Population Size and Composition
1980:census activities were conducted from 2-5 July 1980.Re-
connaissance flights showed that the post-calving female:calf
segment of the main Nelchina herd (including 19 of 20 radio-col-
lared females considered to be main Nelchina animals)was in an
area of about 260 mi 2 in the southeastern Talkeetna Mountains
30
.....
1 1 1 ))1 1 1 1 J J •]]1 1
Table 3.Crosstabulation of radio-collared male caribou relocations
.from the main Nel~hina herd by habitat and season.
-~---~--I--~---~-I------~-I-----~~-I--------I--~-----I--------1rIIB
SEASON
COUNT I
COL PCT ICALVING SUMMER AUTUMN RUT
J
I 1.1 2.1 3.1
WINTER SPRI~G ROW
TOTAL
4.1 5.1 f.l
w......1 • I 7 I
srrUCE FOqrST I 63.&J
n I (,!5 I . 7 I 30 I ,55
D I 25.fi I 83.3 I 77~8 1 76.9 I 50.9
2.
Tl!t .['fi.f,.-HE ~~Pi •
3.
SFPL't;l·\,\D
-I--------I---~----l---·---·r-----···J~~--~---I~-~--~--I
I 3 I 8 I 5 I n I (I I 5 I
I 27.3 I 42.1 I 20.8 I 0 J 0 I 12.8 I
-I~--~·-·--l----~---I--------I----~~~-I~----~~-I-~----~-I
I 1 I III J 10 I 1 I 1 I 3 r
I 9.1 I 52.6 I 41.7 I 16.7 J 11.1 I 1.7 I
21
19.4
26
24.1
-I--------I,--------I----~·--I--------J--~-----I-~----~-I6.
prr'c'SLJFSTf~AT[
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I
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1
5.3
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3
12.5
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I
u
(\
I
I
1
11 .1
I
I
1
2.6
I
1
(,
5.6
CGLUf·~[\.'
TOTAL
F ~\'r,1 S(~UAPE =-
-I--------I------·-I~---~---I-----~--I--~----·I-~-·----I
11 19 24 6 9 39
1 n.2 17.6 22.2 5.6 8.3 36.1
4':,:.813-392 tJI1~{15 OEGREES OF FREEDOM.SIGNIFICANCE =
lOA
100.0
.11(}UO
Table 4.Crosstabulation of radio-collared female caribou rel,ocations
from the main Nelchina herd by habitat and season.
S[AS!J~;
COUNT I
COL PCT lCALVING SUMMER AUTUMN RUT
I
T 1.1 2.1 3.1
UINTER SPRING Rey
TOTAL
4.1 5.1 6.1
Hrr-------~-l------~-I---·,-~--I----~--~l--------t-----~~-I---~--~~I
W
r-J
1.
~:;>Furr F'JPEST
2.
il",['P/',-HERF:<"
3.
~,!r"II i:LAt~D
fa
Fr':-'!SUBSTRATE
COlUf"iN
TOTAL
Ff!'CH!:)(JUARE =
I '1 I r,J 20 I 15 I 22 1 59 I 116,
J (!I 0 I •3f.:.4 I 71.4 I 57.9 J 56.2 1 3-/1 •'2
-I---·---~I--------I---·-~--I-·------I~-~--~~-l-~------1
I 4f-T 41 I 16 I :\I 3 I 16 I 122
I 74.2 I 70.1 1 29.1 I !]I -7.9 I 15.2 J 36.0
-I-~~-----I-----··-I----~-·-I----~---I--~~~··-l·~-~-~~-I
I 16 I 16 T 9 I 5 I 5 I 3U t 81.
I 25.A I 27.6 I 16.4 I 23.8 'I 1~.2 I 28.6 I 23.9
-1--------I--------J--------I--------I~-------l-----~-·1In.I 1 I 10 I 1 I f I f)I 20."
1 I"I .1.1 I 18.2 I 4.8 I 21.1 I (J I 5.9.....;
-I------~-l------~-I-·~--~---I--------I--------r--~--~~-I62585521381u5 339
18.3 1'7.1 Ha2 6.2 11.2 31.C 1(10.0
1F9.397H'2 ltiITH 15 D[GRlES OF FREEDOM.SIGNIF ICANCE =(I
J J J J .J j I J i J ,1 J I !~J 1
I )J J !)I J li'M j ..g J J .~J ]1Jl
Table 5.Crosstabulation of radio-collared female caribou relocat ions
from the upper Susitna-Nenana subherd by habitat and season.
--------I-----~--I---~----I---~-~·-I-~~-----I--~---~-I----~·--I
SEASON
COUNT I
UJL peT ICALVING SUm'iER AUTUMtI HUT
I
I 1.1 2.1 3d ~.1 5.1 6.1
l.ITNTER SPRING ROlJ
TOTAL
30
6 o.G
I
I
(,
~6.2
I
I
5
83.3
I
I
1
33.3
I
I
"t::.
28.6
I
I
£\
72.7
1
1
8
RO.(\
2..I
Tl!f r It,-~:£r<n.I
f!r.f'
W
LV
-I--------I----~---I---·~-~~I---·-·-·I--~-----J--~---·-I
~~:I qi P l..~'\D
3.I I I 2 I 4 I 2 I 1 I 6 I 16
I l~.O I 18.2 J 57.1 J ·~6.1 J 16.7 I 46.2 I 32.0
-I----~---I~---~---I--------I------~-I------·-I·---·~---1
6.I 1 I
F r,r,r s U!~.ST HAT Ell (I •0 I
1 1 1 I
3.1 I }4.3 I
(j I
o I
!1 I
(I I
1 I
7.7 J
4
8.0
-I----···--I--·-----I~~-·-~~-I-----~--I--·-··--I-·-----~I
CIJlUm,J
TOTAL
1 ~,
2D.f\
11
22.(\
1
14.(}
:.5
6.D
6
12.£,
13
26.(,
50
lor.o
"r I,'f'f 1 ~')Ufl R[=l';.49P09 ~JITH Ie DEGREES OF FREEDOM.SIGNIFICANCE =.3979
w
~
fJ r.D
Table 6.Crosstabulation of radio-coilared feInale caribou relocations
from the upper Talkeetna River subherd by habitat and season.
SEASUN
COUNT I
COL PCT ICAlVING SUMMER AUTU~N ~lNTER SPRING ROW
I TOTAL
I 1.1 2.1 ~.l 5.1 6.1
--------r--~·----I---·-----I--------I--------I---~-·--I2.I H I 6 I 6 I 4 I 9 I 33
T t·!,f.i r>r.-Ii E HB • I tt!I.J •;;I 75.(;I 75 •(,I 1 (}v•[I I 1 0 (l •n I 89 • 2
-I-~------l---------I~----·--I--------I------\--I3.
s~,F IJPL )[10
6.
Fr·n ~~u r S PI AlE
I n I 1 I 1 I (.I 0 1
I f)I 12.5 I 12.5 I £~I n I
-l~~~-----I--------I--~-----I--------I-~---~--II
I t!T 1 r 1 I ()J Q I,J
I 0 1\12.5 I 12.5 I fl I C 1
2
5.4
2
5.4
-I·-·-----I-----~--I-----~-~I----~~--r~~--··--I
COlUI1N
TOTAL
A
21.6
8
21 d;
P
21.6
If
U).g
9
24.3
37
100.0
ntl.,'(fIT (}nU{~F[=!:.•8 H6 3 {;'..[I Tti 8 DEGREES GF FREEDOM.SIGNIFICA~CE =.66 no
J J .1 »J I __J J ~,,~I !I j ill I~
j J J j I 1 J 1 J J j j J i j )I -,
w
U1
Hlro
Table 7.Crosstabulation of radio-collared female caribou relocations
from the Ghuniina Hills subherd by habitat and season.
SEASON
COUNT 1
COL peT rCAlVING SUMrER AUTUMN UINTER SPRING ROW
1 TOTAL
I 1.1 2.1 3.1 '5.1 6.1
---·----l-----~-~I-----~--I--·-~~-~I-----~--I--~--~-~I
2.I 2 I 1 I 2 I 1 I 3 I 9
Tl!!'U P A- HE fW •I 1 r c •1 I 1.0 n•0 I 5 G•0 I 1 a 0 • 0 1 6 0 •0 I f,9 •2 .
-I-------~r--·-----I----~---I'--------I--~---~-I3.. I
tJ I ()I 2 I £I I 2 I
~p !'1..1 I:L 1\i'W I 0 I ()I 5l!.n I 11 I 40.0 1
4
30.E
-T'--~-----I--------I------·-J--------I-~------ICULUMN
TOTAL
2.
15.4
1
7.1
4
3{\.P
1"
1.7
5
38.5
13
100.0
f'!~i·.'CIi I S CU AR £.=~'.67222 wITH 4 DEGREES OF FREEDOM.SIGNIFICANCE =.6141
-7000;-100 I r I I I =1
8000-1--
-
-
-
.
:::1:.::':~:~=$'~:~'
I':::::,-
§'.:=r.:::::..
::'i.~
~..~:~
,.:I:~
•....:
~:;.'.:..:
.~;:~~
-m
'1"""
:.:..~f~~F~
I'::·,:::
s"•.•.f~
-m
-*-....ffifIlJ'
[I
..
),
•3000+ffi
c I
!:4000 .........
~
..2000~
~
~5000 .........
~
I.
!:
1000 -I--
0'I I I I I I
WINTER SPRING CALVING SUMMER AUTUMN RUT
Figure 14.Seasonal elevation u.a by famala (lIght box)and male (dark box)oarlbou from tha main Nalchlna hard •.
H 0 r I Z 0 n t aI II n e,mea n.box.9 5 ..con II dan c •In t a rv a h v.r tI ca.II ne•ran g a•
J ~I ~t I D 1 ~]J i J I I
-
-
,....
ranging from the Oshetna River to the Little Nelchina River.The
area was subdivided into three areas based on geographical fea-
tu,res andapp~rent composition of animals.A total of 17,061
caribou was countedj 9,771 in area A,2,383 in area Band 4,907
in area C.Composition data from the three areas (Table 8)in-
dicated significant differences (X 2 =143.15,P 0.001)in the pro-
portions of males,females and calves.The composition sampling
effort was not proportional to the numbers of caribou in each of
the subareas therefore the data were weighted to provide the most
accurate estimate of composition possible.An additional 244
caribou (including cows and calves)were found in peripheral
areas and were assumed to have the same composition as the
weighted estimate.Therefore the post-calving aggregation
totaled 17,305 caribou with an estimated composition of 2,808
males ~l year,9,285 females ~l year and 5,212 calves.
Fall composition data (Table 9)were collected on 14 October 1980
when the main Nelchina herd was distributed on the Lake Louise
Flat during the rut.The ratio of males ~1 year to 100 females
~1 year.was 61.9,the highest ever recorded for the Nelchina
herd.While collecting the composition data I felt that sampling
was probably biased towards males.Large males were easily
i¢entified and tended to catch my eye.Also,concentrations of
males usually occurred at the back of groups where sampling
began.Often the groups fragmented and animals towards the front
were not fully sampled.An indication that the data may have
been representative or that observer bias has been consistent
over time was the near perfect fit (r 2 =0.99)of this years ratio
wi th the linear increase which has occurred since 1976.Indeed
an increase in the proportion of males would be expected for a
herd which is increasing and previously had a relatively low pro-
portion of males.Bergerud (1980)pointed out that a herd with
good recruitment and a young age structure will have large
numbers of young bulls.
The estimated 1980 fall population was calculated as follows:
37
Table 8.Nelchina caribou postcalving sex and age composition data,
5 July 1980.
Cows Bulls
MM per Calves per Calves ~1 year 1~year
Area 100 FF 100 FF N %N %N %
~1 year ~1 year
A 19.8 54.8 222 ~1.4 405 57.3 80 11.3
B 76.9 37.4 107 17.5 286 46.7 220 35.9
C 33.5 67.6 184 33.6 272 49.7 91 16.6
Weighted*30.2 56.1 30.1 53.7 16.2
*Weighting was based on composition samples and numbers of caribou
counted (see text)in each of the subareas.
--
'"'"
Table 9.Nelchina caribou fall sex and age composition data,
14 October 1980.
MM per
100 FF
~1 year
61.9
Calves per
100 FF
~1 year
42.3
Calves
N %
170 20.7
38
Cows
~1 year
N %
402 49.0
Bulls
~1 year
N %
249 30.3
-
-
18,713 =(17,305 X 0.537)-129 X (1+1.042)where 17,305 =the
number of animals in the post-calving aggregation,0.537 =pro-
portion of females in the .post-ca1ving.aggregation,129 =mortal-
ity of females from the time of post-calving counts until fall
and consists of reported hunter harvest,1.042 =ratio of bulls
and calves to females in the fall.The figure 18,713 is the fall
population estimate.
1981:the census was conducted from 23 to 25 June 1981.On 23
June reconnaissance flights showed that the female:calf segment
of the herd was in a band extending from the headwaters of
Caribou Creek through the upper Oshetna River to Black Lake
(Fig.15)an area of about 170 mi 2.All 17 radio-collared fe-
males from the main Ne1china herd were included in this group.
The area was divided into three areas based on geographic fea-
tures for counting and composition.On 24 June a total of 19,264
caribou were counted;6,554 in area A,6,701 in area Band 6,009
in area C.Composition·sampling from the three areas (Table 10)
indicated significant differences (x2 =52.41,P 0.001)in the pro-
portion.o·f males,females and calves.The composition sampling
was not directly proportional to the numbers in each of the sub-
areas therefore the data were weighted (Table 10).The estimate
of the post-calving aggregation was 19,264 caribou with 10,416
females ~1 year,3,035 males ~1 year and 5,813 calves.
Fall composition sampling (Table 11)was conducted on 19 October
between Ewan Lake and the Chistochina River.The ratios of males
~1 year (60.4)and calves (42.9)per 100 cows ~1 year were nearly
identical to those obtained in October 1980 (Table 9).Because
of poor weather the composition count was conducted about one
week later than normal.It appeared that some bulls had sep-
arated from the cow-calf segment and therefore males may have
been slightly underrepresented in the sampling.
I estimated that the herd was about evenly divided east and west
of the Richardson Highway and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline at the
39
40
•~•c•o-.,
•..
·•c
~,..
&'It
ac..
-~
~
co..
as
CII
CD..
CIIa•
ac->
•o..•o
Go--•o
I•-•E
CD--o
co..•oo....
10-CD..
~
Cl
II-
.....
-
-
-
-
-
.....Table 10.Nelchina caribou postcalving sex and age composition data,
25 June 1981.
Cows Bulls
MM per Calves per Calves <!:1 Year <!:1 year
Area 100 FE'100 E'E'N %N %N %
<!:1 year <!:1 year
A 46.9 53.3 156 46 .5 294 50.0 138 23.5
B 17.5 54.6 272 31.7 498 58.1 87 10.2
C 25.1 60.0 325 32.4 542 54.0 131 13.6
Weighted*29.1 55.8 30.1 54.1 15.8
_ *Weighting was based on composition samples and numbers of car±bou
counted (see text)in each of the subareas.
Table 11.Nelchina caribou fall sex and age composition data,
19 October 1981.
,~,
-
-
-
MM per
100 FE'
<!:1 year
60.9
Calves pe.r
100 FE'
<!:1 year
42.9
Calves
N %
342 21.1
41
Cows
<!:1 year
N %
797 49.1
Bulls
<!:1 year
N %
485 29.9
time of the composition counts based on the distribution of the
radio-collared animals and observations of caribou numbers during
the sampling.Segregation of herd components was apparent as the
proportions of both calves and bulls ~1 year were greater east of
the highway and pipeline (Table 12).Composition data were not
weighted as the sampling effort was approximately proportional to
numbers present in each area.
The estimated 1981 fall population was calculated as follows:
20,730 =(19,264 x 0.541)-250 x (1 +1.038)where 19,264 =the
number of caribou counted in the post-calving aggregation,0.541
=the proportion of females in the post-calving aggregation,250
=a preliminary estimate of hunter harvest of females and a 1%
estimate for natural mortality of females ~1 year between the
time of the census and the fall composition counts and 1.058 =
ratio of bulls and calves to cows in the fall.The figure 20,730
is the 1981 fall population estimate.
The presence of all radio-collared females from the main Nelchina
herd in the census area in 1981 and all but one in 1980 added
confidence to the population estimates.Assumption #1 (see meth-
ods)requires that all females be present in the post-calving
aggregations included in the census area.
In recent years the herd has experienced a growth phase,1950-60i
a peak 1962-1967i a decline,1967-1973i and then another growth
phase,1974-1981 (Table 13).The technique currently used to
estimate herd size (aerial photo-direct count extrapolation
caribou census technique)has not always produced precise es-
timates,however a trend of herd growth since about 1976 is ap-
parent when the complete series of estimates is examined.The
average annual rate of population growth (r)between the 1977
herd estimate and the 1981 herd estimate was 0.10.For the fe-
male ~1 year segment of the herd the r estimate was 0.08.During
this period an additional 3-4%of the herd (primarily males)has
been harvested.
42
,~
Table 12.Comparison of proportions of males ~l year,females ~1 year
and calves east and west of Richardson Highway during
19 October 1981 composition counts.
West Richardson East Richardson
N (%)per 100 Females N %per 100 females
~Males ~l yr 204 (281)52.6 276 (31.4)69.0
Calves 138 (18.5).34.8 204 (23.2)51.0-Females ~1 yr 397 (53.4)400 (45.5)
Chi square =10.69
Degrees Freedom =2
Significance =P<O.Ol
-
-
43
~
Table 13.Nelchina caribou herd population estimates l "in fall
unless otherwi se noted.
A!IM?!
Total Female Male Calf
Year Estimate Es.timate Estimate Estimate
1955 40 1000 1
""'"1962 71,000 2
1967 61,000 3
1972 7,842 4 1 800 1,622 1,420
1973 71 693 4 1 646 1,268 1,779
1976 8 1081 4 1979 1 1 663 1,439
1977 13,936 7,509 2 1868 3,559
1978 18 1981 9,866 4,429 4.686
1980 18,713 9 1 164 5,673 3,876
1981 20 1730 4 10 1 172 6,195 4,364
1 Watson and Scott (1956)I February census.
2 Siniff and Skoog (1974),February census,perhaps should be
adjusted downward by as many as 5,000 caribou due to
presence of Mentasta herd.
3 Felt by some to be an unreasonably high estimate.
4 Preliminary estimate,awaiting final female harvest data.
44
-
I"""'
Alaska Department of Fish and Game management objectives for the
Nelchina herd include:(1)restricting the harvest until a popu-
lation level of 20,000 animals older than calves is reached,(2)
maintaining a minimum sex ratio of 25 males/100 females,(3)pro-
vide for the greatest opportunity to participate in hunting cari-
bou,and (4)to provide for an·optimum harvest of caribou.Har-
vest of the herd is currently restricted by a permit system to
allow for continued herd growth.
Currently the Nelchina herd contains about 6%of the total state-
wide caribou population (325,000).It is exceeded in size by the
large Western Arctic and Porcupine herds located in Northern
Alaska and is comparable in size to the Alaska Peninsula and
Mulchatna herds in southwestern Alaska.Historically the Forty-
mile herd has been much larger than the Nelchina herd but cur-
rently is somewhat smaller.
Mortality
Natural mortality:three radio-collared caribou died of natural
causes.On 14 October 1980 a bull was relocated with a bleeding
wound on the rump.This was during the rut and fighting between
bulls was seen on several occasions so it was possible the wound
was a result of an encounter with another bull.During the next
survey (2 December 1980)the transmitter was on mortality mode
indicating cessation of movement.The carcass was examined on 15
April 1981 and was largely intact.Transmitters on two females
were detected on mortality mode on 11 February 1981.When exa-
mined on 15 April 1981 they both appeared to have been killed by
predators,probably wolves.
Estimates of x annual survival rates were 0.935 (0.9821-0.8351;
80%confidence interval)for females ~1 year and 0.870 (0.9857-
0.5777;80%confidence interval)for males ~1 year based on the
number of observed natural mortalities of radio-collared caribou
and number of animal months monitored (Trent and Rongstad 1974).
45
These estimates were probably somewhat low as only one winter-
spring period l when most mortality of caribou older than calves
normally occurs (Skoog 1968)I.was included while two summer
periods when natural mortality is minimall were included.
Calf survival from birth to 11.months of age (May 1980 to April
1981)was estimated from a theoretical birth rate of 0.66 calves
per cow ~1 year (Skoog 1968 1 Bergerud 1978)and an observed ratio
of 0.30 calves per cow ~1 year in April which was corrected for
survival of females (0.95)between May and April (Fuller and
Keith 1981).Estimated calf survival was (0.30 x .95)=043.
0.66
Hunter mortality:Reported hunter harvest for the Nelchina
caribou herd has averaged about 670 animals over the past 10
years (Table 14).Females have composed about 25%of the re-
ported harvest.Hunter numbers have been controlled by permit
since 1977.
Potential Impacts of Project Construction
Construction of the proposed Watana dam would create an impound-
ment which would intersect a major historical migratory route(s)
of the Nelchina caribou herd (Figure 16).During most years be-
tween 1950 and 1973 most or all of the female-calf segment of the
herd crossed from the calving grounds in the Talkeetna Mountains
to summer in the greater Deadman-Butte Lakes area (Skoog 1968 1
Hemming 1971 1 Bos 1974).This movement sometimes occurred in
June after calving but more commonly took place in late July
(Skoog 1968).Hemming (1971)stated that most crossings of the
Susitna in the proposed impoundment area occurred between Deadman
Creek and the big bend of the Susi tna.
Varying proportions of the herd have wintered north of the pro-
posed impoundment in drainages of the upper Susitna l Nenana and
Chuli tna Rivers in many years.Between 1957 and 1964 this was
the major wintering area (Hemming 1971).Spring migration routes
46
-
""""
-
Table 14.Reported hunter harvest of the Nelchina caribou
herd,1972 -19.81.
~Regulatory
Year Total Harvest Females Males
No.(%)No.(%)
:-
1972-73 555 153 (28)338 (72)
~,1973-74 629 203 (33)411 (67)
1974-75 1,036 343 (34)656 (66)
1975-76 669 201 (31)441 (69)
1976-77 776 201 (26 )560 (74)
1977-78 360 77 (22)275 (78)
.-1978-79 539 111 (21)416 (79)I
1979-80 630 90 (14)509 (81)
1980-81 621 117 (21 )453 (79)
1981-82*856 144 (18)675 (82 )
*Preliminary data .
.-
47
48
"••o
Doo
~
Do
•6:-"••••o
~
u
"~
CD
I::
:Jo
.CI...•u
•c-.c
u
•Z
•6:-~--•u-~o-•
.c
•..•.c '.·:..• ••..-c c
CI
cD e
....'C
CD C
...:J
:J 0
tile.
u:~
-,
-
-
-
--
during these years would have undoubtedly crossed the impoundment
area apparently between Deadman Creek and Jay Creek.
Some use of the proposed impoundment also occurred during the
autumn dispersal period as animals moved from the Talkeetna
Mountains north across the Susitna or vice versa.Some crossings
by bulls which summered at various locations throughout the
Nelchina Range and moved towards the female-calf segment prior to
the rut occurred every year.
Large movements of caribou across the proposed impoundment have
not occurred during the study period,nor have they been recorded
since about 1976 (Eide pers.comm.).Sixteen of 32 radio-col-
lared caribou from the main Nelchina herd (Appendix I:31,62,
122,142,ISO,161,170, 182, 192,251.,370,411,431,441,466,
480)were either located in the proposed impoundment area or loc-
ations of sequential sightings indicated a high probability that
they had been in the area a total of 22 times.Radio-collared
caribou were found in the impoundment area during two periods,
spring (about 10 April 31 May)and autumn (1 August-30
September)i fourteen sightings were in spring while eight were in
the fall.During spring 1981 it appeared from both relocations
of radio-collared animals and sightings of tracks and caribou
that many animals were using the Susitna River as a travel route.
They apparently traveled the river from its confluence at the
Tyone and Oshetna Rivers to Kosina Creek and Watana Lake where
they moved west into the Talkeetna Mountain foothills.Nine
crossings of the proposed Watana impoundment by six radio-col-
lared caribou were documented (six were north to south and three
south to north).Five occurred in spring and four in autumn.
The uppermost portion of the Watana impoundment received the most
use by radio-collared animals in both spring and autumn.
-,
Even though crossings of
Nelchina caribou have been
to historical records when
the proposed Watana impoundment by
relatively infrequent (when compared
virtually the entire herd crossed two
49
or more times per year}it seems inevitable that they will again
cross in large numbers.The area north and west of the Watana
impoundment was used extensively as summer and winter range in
the past and Skoog (1968)considered some of the area as the most
important habi tat for year around use in the Ne1china range.
It appears that major herd crossing of the impoundment area usu-
ally occurred when population levels were relatively high (Tables
I,14).During recent years when major crossings have not occur-
red the herd has been at low to moderate population levels (Table
14)and has only used about a third of its historical range
(7,000 mi 2 /20,000 mi2.).Hemming (1972)suggested that the range
use,frequency of shifts in range and seasonal splitting were
positively correlated with herd size.It appears likely that the
probabi1i ty of maj or crossings of the impoundment area and in-
creased use of the northwestern portion of the range will in-
crease as herd size increases.
The reactions of caribou to the sudden creation of a large im-
poundment intersecting a major migratory route cannot be pre-
dicted with confidence.Movements across the impoundment would
largely occur during three periods.Spring migration from the
winter range to the calving grounds would occur from late April
through May.Thi s would be a period of transition from an ice-
covered reservoir at maximum drawdown with ice shelving and ice-
covered shores to an open reservoir rapidly filling from spring
run off.Post-calving movements from the calving grounds to sum-
mer range north of the Susitna would occur in late June or July
at which time the impoundment would be ice free and nearing maxi-
mum water level.Additional movements throughout August and
September would occur but would likely involve smaller,dispersed
groups of animals.At this time the impoundment would be at max-
imum water level and ice free.
A possible reaction to the impoundment by caribou is complete
avoidance and refusal to even attempt crossing.This could re-
50
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
duce use of the northwestern corner of the Nelchina range or
change and extend the migration route to avoid the impoundment.
Another possible reaction would be avoidance by some components
of the herd and attempted crossing by other segments.Cameron et
ale (1979)documented avoidance.of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline cor-
ridor by females and calves during summer.They also suggested
avoidance by large groups,group fragmentation and/or decreased
group coalescence near the pipeline corridor.Should animals
attempt to cross the impoundment;spring migration would appear
to pose the most serious problems.Pregnant females are often in
the poorest condition of the annual cycle at this time (Skoog
1968)and migratory barriers which normally could be easily cir-
cumvented could become sources of mortality.Klein (1971)sug-
gested that when animals are in poor physical condition seasonal
migrations are easily disrupted.The potenti.al for injury or
death to migrating caribou appears greater in spring than during
other periods.Skoog (1968)mentioned several instances of in-
juries and death resulting from falls on or through ice.Ice
covered shores,ice sheets and steep ice shelves formed by winter
draw-down of the reservoir could present formidable obstacles to
movement (Hanscom and Osterkamp 1980).Both Klein (1971)and
Vilmo (1975)mention ice shelving as a mortality factor of
reindeer on reservoirs in Scandinavia.Spring breakup would pro-
bably occur during the migration in many years posing additional
hazards such as floating ice floes,overflow and wet ice shelves.
Crossings during summer and fall when the reservoir would be ice
free appear to pose considerably less hazard.Caribou are excel-
lent swimmers and are known to cross much larger bodies of water
than the proposed impoundment (Skoog 1968).Young calves might
have problems with this distance if migrations occurred shortly
after calving.Water crossings have been reported as mortality
factors but usually involved rivers rather than more placid
bodies of water such as a reservoir (Skoog 1968).Banfield and
Jakimchuk (1980)suggest that open water may pose a barrier,par-
51
ticularly during post-calving movements and mid-summer migration.
Large lakes are often crossed at traditional sites,often narrow
points 0:r:where islands provide interim stopping points.They
state "caribou prefer to avoid open water."
Relocations of radio-collared caribou demonstrated that at least
during the study period three relatively discrete subherds occur-
red in the western portion of the Nelchina range.Two of these
subherds,the Chunilna Hill's and Susi tna-Nenana groups,would
probably become even more isolated from the main Nelchina herd by
construction of the Susi tna hydroelectric proj ect although the
extent probably would depend on locations of access corridors.
The ~mportance of periodic infusions of animals from the main
herd for long-term persistence of these smaller groups is un-
known.
Developments which would accompany construction and operation of
the hydroelectric project such as roads,railroads and air fields
and associated human activity might also negatively impact
Nelchina caribou although the extent is virtually impossible to
predict.Roads and rai lroads and resulting traffic have been
suspected in obstructing movements of caribou and reindeer (Klein
1971,Vilmo 1975,Cameron et.ale 1979).However Nelchina
caribou continue to cross the Richardson Highway,often in large
numbers and have done so during many years since about 1960
(Hemming 1971).Several studies (Miller and Gunn 1979,Calef
et ale 1976)have recorded responses of caribou to aircraft dis-
turbance and speculated on deleterious impacts.Cows and calves
were most responsive to disturbance (Miller and Gunn 1979).
Caribou showed increased sensitivity during the rut and calving
(Calef et ale 1976).
Electrical transmission lines have been reported to disrupt move-
ments of reindeer in Scandinavia (Klein 1971,Vilmo 1975)because
of associated noises (hum)and because they are foreign objects
in otherwise familiar surroundings.If electrical transmission
52
-
~l
-
-
-
-I
.....
lines are downstream from the proposed Watana dam site they
should have little impact on caribou as long as they are routed
near the river.Few caribou occur in thi s area.Several papers
have been recently published dealing with caribou behavior and
reactions to development and human activity (Cameron et a1.1979,
Miller and Gunn 1979,Jakimchuk 1980,Hanson 1981,Horejsi 1981).
These studies provide guidelines which may help design develop-
mental activi ties to minimize adverse impacts.
The proximity of the Ne1china calving grounds to the proposed
Watana impoundments (Fig.6)is of concern.According to Skoog
(1968)the calving ground is the "focal point"of a caribou herd.
The Ne1china herd has shown nearly complete fidelity to its cal-
ving ground since record keeping began in about 1950.The cal-
ving grounds are in one of the most remote and inaccessible re-
gions within the Ne1china range.Development of the Susitna hy-
droelectric project would change this.Expanded human access and
activi ty would likely occur which have been shown to adversely
impact caribou use of calving areas.Cameron et a1.(1979)doc-
umented abandonment of a portion of the calving grounds of the
central Arctic herd concurrent with development of the Prudhoe
Bay oil fields.
Bergerud (1978)presented a somewhat different view and suggested
that caribou are quite adaptable and will adjust to human con-
struction and development.He stated that the impacts of human
development and harassment have been overstated and no good evi-
dence is avai·1ab1e indicating that development has caused aband-
onment of ranges.However,he did state that calving areas may
be an exception and should be protected from both development and
disturbance.
The Watana impoundment appears to .have the potential to nega-
tively impact Ne1china caribou although the extent cannot be pre-
dicted.The Devil Canyon impoundment would occur in an area
which both presently and historically has received little caribou
53
use and would probably be of minor significance to the Nelchina
caribou herd.
Perhaps in the long run the major impact of the Susitna hydro-
electric development on the Nelchina caribou herd will a contri-
bution towards gradual,long term cumulative habitat degradation
rather than immediate catastrophic results.The proposed hydro-
electric project is only one (although the major one)of a number
of developments which will probably occur in the Neichina range.
Considerable mining activity already is taking place in the
southeastern Talkeetna mountains,traditional summer range.A
state oil and gas lease sale is planned for the Lake Louise Flat,
a major wintering area.Cons~derable land is passing from public
to private ownership through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act and through state land disposal programs.While no single
action may have a catastrophic impact it seems likely that long-
term cumulative impacts will result in a lessened ability for
the Nelchina range to support large numbers of caribou.Habitat
destruction,increased access,disturbance,and partial barriers
to movement will all probably contribute to this.
Recommendations for Phase I I Studies
It appears that certain questions regarding impacts of the pro-
posed hydroelectric project on caribou,particularly the re-
actions of caribou to the creation of an impoundment and the ef-
fect of the development on population dynamics,cannot be an-
swered before project construction.The changeable nature of
caribo~movements further complicates impact prediction as move-
ment patterns documented during the study period may well change
before project construction.However the location of the calving
grounds,a relatively permanent feature of a caribou herd,in
relation to the proposed impoundments and summer and winter
ranges virtually assures that some use of the impoundment area
will occur.I recommend that a pool of about 25 radio-collared
caribou from the main Nelchina herd be maintained through project
54
-
-
'"""
-.
-
-
.-
i
i
-
construction to document use of the area.Status of the herd
should be monitored with annual censuses and sex and age com-
position sampling.
Population growth of caribou herds appears to be largely regu-
lated by the rate of survival .of calves to one year of age.One
of the potential impacts of project construction could be in-
creased juvenile mortality (through impoundment crossing and ex-
tended migrations of parous females to the calving grounds).
Access roads to the darn sites may increase susceptibility to pre-
dators (Roby 1978).Therefore it seems appropriate to study pre-
construction calfmortali ty,both causes and extent.
55
-
.....
-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Sterling Eide and Karl Schneider initially conceived and designed
this study.Karl supervised the study and was particularly ef-
fective in administering the contract thereby allowing me to
spend more time on actual research.Dennis McAllister,
Patsy Martin,Bob Tobey and Warren Ballard participated in
numerous field activities.Ken Bunch,Don Deering,Al Lee,
Vern Lofstedt and Craig Lofstedt piloted aircraft for the pro-
j ect.Danny Actil and SuzAnne Mi ller performed invaluable ser-
vices in data management and analysis.I appreciate the con-
tributions made by each of these individuals.
56
REFERENCES
Alaska Department of Fish and Game.1970-1980.
and Inventory Reports,Caribou.Juneau,AK.
Annual Survey
-
-
-
Banfield,A.W.F.,and R.D ..Jakimchuk.1980.Analyses of the
characteri sties and behavior of barren ground caribou in
Canada.Polar Gas Project.281 pp.
Bergerud,A.T.1978.Caribou.Pages 83-101 In J.L.Schmidt
and D.L.Gilbert,eds.Big Game of North America (Ecology
and Management).Stackpole Books,Harrisburg,PA.
1980.A review of the population dynamics of
caribou and wild reindeer in North America.Pages 556 -581
In E.Reimers,E.Gaare,and S.Skjenneberg,eds.
Reindeer/Caribou Symposium I I,Roros.Norway.
Bos,G.N.1973.Nelchina caribou report.Alaska Dept.Fish
and Game,Fed.Aid.in Wildl.Rest.,Proj.W-17-4 and
W-17-5.Juneau,AK.25pp.
1974.Nelchina and Mentasta caribou reports ..
Alaska Dept.Fish and Game,Fed.Aid.in Wildl.Rest.,Proj.
W-17-5 and W-17-6.Juneau,AK.50pp.
Calef,G.W.,E.A.DeBock,and G.M.
action of barren-ground caribou
29:201-212.
Lortie.1976.
to ai rcraft.
The re-
Arctic
.....
Cameron,R.D.,K.R.Whitten,W.T.Smith,and D.D.Robey.
1979.Caribou distribution and group composition associated
with construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.Canadian
Field-Naturalist 93:155-162 .
57
Davis,J.L.1978.History and current status of Alaska caribou
herds.Pages 1-8 In D.R.Klein and R.G.White,ed.Para-
meters of-caribou population ecology in Alaska.Biological
papers of the Universi ty of Alaska Special Report Number 3 .
. ,P.Va1kenburg,and S.J.Harbo,Jr.1979.Refine-------
ment of the aerial photo-direct count-extrapolation caribou
census technique.Alaska Department of Fish and Game,Fed.
Aid in Wi1d1.Rest.,Proj.W-17-11.Juneau,AK.23pp.
Doerr,J.1979.Population dynamics and modeling of the Western
Arctic Caribou Herd with comparisons to other Alaskan
Rangffer populations.Unpub1.M.S.Thesis,Univ.of Alaska,
Fairbanks.341pp.
Eide,S.H.1980.Caribou Survey-Inventory
Pages 31-34 In R.A.Hinman,ed.Annual
Inventory Activities.Alaska Fed.Aid in
W-17-11.
Progress Report.
Report of Survey-
Wi1d1.Rest.Proj.
Fuller,T.K.and L.B.Keith.1981.Woodland caribou popu-
lation dynamics in northeastern Alberta.J.Wild1.Manage.
45:1970213.
Glenn,L.P.1967.Caribou report.Alaska Dept.Fish and Game,
Fed.Aid in Wi1d1.Rest.Proj.W-15-T-1,2.Juneau,AK.
36pp
Hanscom,J.T.,and T.E.Osterkamp.1980.Potential caribou-
ice problems in the Watana reservoir,Susitna hydroelectric
proj ect.The Northern Engineer 12:4-8.
Hanson,W.C.
pipelines
95:57-62.
1981.Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)
in northern Alaska.Canadian
58
encounters wi th
Field-Naturalist
Hemming,J.E..1971.The distribution and movement patterns of
caribou in Alaska.Alaska Dept.Fish and Game,Wildl.Tech.
Bull.No.1.60pp.
1972.Population growth and movement patterns of
the Nelchina caribou herd.Pages 162-169 In J.R.Luick,
-,
P.C.Lent,D.R.Klein,and R.G.White,eds.
Int'l.Reindeer/caribou symposium,Univ.
Fairbanks,Ak.551 pp.
Proc.First
of Alaska,
1968.
Aid
. ,and L. P .Glenn.-'------
Dept.Fish and Game,Fed.
W-15-R-2.Juneau,AK.41pp.
Caribou report .
in Wildl.Rest.,
Alaska
Proj.
1969.Caribou report.
Fed.Aid in Wi1dl.Rest.,
Juneau,AK.37pp.
Alaska Dept.Fish and Game,
Proj.W-15-R-3 and W-17-1.
-
Horej si,B.L.1981.Behavioral response of barren ground
caribou to a moving vehicle.Arctic 34:180-185.
Klein,D.R.1971.Reaction of reindeer to obstructions and
disturbances.Science 173:343-398.
Lentfer,J.1965.Caribou report.
Fed.Aid in Wildl.Rest.,
Juneau,AK.20pp.
Alaska Dept.
Proj.W-6-5-5
Fi sh and Game,
and W-6-R-6.
McGowan,T.A.1966.Caribou report.Alaska Dept.Fish and
Game,Fed.Aid in Wildl.Rest.,Proj.W-6-R-6 and W-15-R-1.
r-Juneau,AK.19pp.
59
Miller,F.L.,and A.Gunn.1979.Responses
and muskoxen to helicopter harassment.
Service Occasional Paper Number 40.90pp.
of Peary caribou
Canadian Wildlife
Nei1and,K.A.1972.Caribou disease
Fish and Game,Fed.Aid .in Wi1dl.
W-17-3.Juneau,AK.42pp.
studies.Alaska Dept.
Rest.Proj.W-17-2 and
Pegau,R.E.,and G.N.Bos.1972.Caribou report.Alaska
Dept.Fish and Game,Fed.Aid in Wi1dl.Rest.,Proj.W-17-3
and W-17-4.Juneau,AK.32pp.
and J.E.Hemming.1972.Caribou report.Alaska Dept.
Fish and Game,Fed.Aid in Wi1dl.Rest.,Proj.W-17-2 and
W-17-3.Juneau,AK.221pp.
___.,G.N.Bos,and K.A.Nei1and.1973.Caribou report.
Alaska Dept.Fish and Game,Fed.Aid in Wild1.Rest.,Proj.
W-17-4 and W-17-5.Juneau,AK.70pp.
Robey,D.D.1978.Behavioral patterns of barren-ground caribou
of the Central Arctic herd adjacent to the Trans-Alaska Oil
pipeline.M.Sc.Thesis,Univ.Alaska.199 pp.
.....
-
Skoog,R.O.1968.Ecology
granti)in Alaska.Ph.D.
Berkeley,CA.699pp.
of the caribou (Rangifer·tarandus
Dissertation,Univ.of California,-
-Siniff,D.B.,and R.O.Skoog.1964.Aerial censusing of
caribou using random stratified sampling.J.Wi1dl.Manage.
28:391-401.
Trent,T.T.,and O.J.Rongstad.1974.Home range and survival
of cottontai 1 rabbits in southwestern Wi sconsin.J.Wi 1dl.
Manage.38:459-471.
60
.-.
-
Viereck,L.A.,and C.T.Dyrness.1980.A preliminary clas-
sification syste~for.vegetation of Alaska.U.S.Forest
Service General Technical Report PNW-I06.38pp.
Vilmo,L.1975.The Scandinavian viewpoint.Pages 4-9 In
J.R.Luick et al.,ed.Proceedings of the First Inter-
national Reindeer and Caribou Symposium.Biological Papers
of the Universi ty of Alaska Special Report No.1.
Watson,G.W.,and R.
Nelchina caribou
21:499-510.
F.Scott.1956.
herd.Trans.
61
Aerial censusing of the
N.Am.Wildl.Conf.
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62
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C'______~~:.~_.;.Jj
1.05-09-80
2.05-22-80
3.05-29-80
4.06-05-80
6.07-06-80
6.08-06-80
7.10-01-80
8.12-02-80
9.02-12-81
10.04-13-81
11.04-27-81
12.06-12-81
13.06-01-81
14.06-12-81
16.07-29-81
16.08-23-81
11.09-22-81
~
~
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Appendix 1.Se quentlal slghtlngs of radlo-c 0 lIared caribou 23 (female).
~D J J I I J J j J J I j J I J J I
_J 1 }I J J )]
13.04-13-81
14.04-27-81
16.06-12-81
.18.05-19-81
17.08-02-81
18.08-12-81
19.08-23-81
20.07-30-81
21.08-22-81
22.08-29-81
23.09-22-81
'¥3
"10 ~"12
1.04-14-80
2.04~29-80
3.06-23-80
4.06-29~80
5.08-06";'80
8.08-23-80
7.07-02-80
8.08-08-80
9.09-23-80
10.10-14-80
11.12-04-80
12.02-11-81
.~~
-""
,/,r
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....-
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Appendix 1.Sequential alghtlnga of radio-collared caribou 31 (female).
O"t
U1
1.04-14-80
2.04-29-80
3.05-23-80
4.05-29-80
5.06-06-80
6.06-16-80
7.06-23-80
8.07-02-80
9.08-06-80
10.09-14-80
11.09-23-80
12.10-01-80
13.10-14-80
14.12-03-80
15.02-11-81
16.04-13-81
17.04-27-81
18.05-05-81
19.05-12-81
20.05-19-81
21.06-02-81
22.06-12-81
23.06-23-81
24.07-30-81
25.08-22-81
26.09-22-81
:\
'18
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(9
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Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 62 (female).
J .J I .J J I J .t J J J _jJ J J I I 1 it
J J 1 i 1 j 1 B )1 )J .~
II
1.04-16-80
2.04-29-80
3.06-22-80
4.08-06-80
8.08-23-80
8.07-02-80
7.08-06-80
8.09-23-80
9.10-14-80
10.12-03-80
11.02-11-81
12.04-13-81
13.04-27-81
14.08-08-81
16.06-12-81
1 8.08-1,9 - 8 1
17.08-02-81
18.06-12-81
19.08-23-81
20.07-30-81
21.08-22-81
22.08-29-81
23.09-22-81~'12
•••.J/~~~-:;.'-:-'
Appendix 1.Sequential elghtlnge of radio-collared caribou 82 (female).
0'1
O'l
~1
~
1.04-15-80
2.04-29-80
3.05-22-80
4.05-29-80
5.06-05-80
6.06-23-80
7.07-02""'80
8.08-05-80
9.09-23-80
10.10-14-80
11.12-04-80
12.02-11-81
13.04-13-81
14.04-27-81
15.05-05-81
16.05-12-81
17.05-19-81
18.06-01-81
19.06-12-81
20.06-23-81
21.07-30-81
22.08-22-81
23.08-29-81
24.09-22-81
~.....-'/"-"'"--~.
1//
0'\
.....,J
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 70 (female).
1 I )J J J J t J ,I )I I I J J J
)1 1 J »)j 1 1 1 1 J J 1
f.~.~_~
~/---------_..
'''---J~
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1.06-10-81
2.06-12-81
3.06-19-81
4.08-01-81
6.08-12-81
8.08-04-81
7.08-08-81
~."'---------
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Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 102 (female).
.-.
GI ~.
IIIe
CD-...
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,Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 122 (male).
-....]
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4.08-18-80 '
6.08-06-80
8.10-01-80
7.10-14-80
8.12-03-80
8.04-16-81
~1
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 131 (male).
~I J I I ~~J J J J ,!t ~
J -1 J 1
17.06-19-81
'18.08-02-81
19.08-12-81
20.08:-23-81
21.07-30-81
22.08-22-81
23.08-2~~81 !
24.09-22.1.81
\
'"
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9.10-01-80 ,
10.10-1,4-80
11.12-03-80
12.02-11-81
13.04-13-81
14:04-27':'81
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18.05-12-81
:'l......,/:"~
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1.04-14-80
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4.06-05-80
5.06-23-80
6.07-02-80
7.08-06-80
8.09-23-80
'\
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N
Appendix 1.Sequential sighting.of radio-collared caribou 142 (female).
--...J
W
1.05...,11-80
2.05-23-80
3.06-23-80
4.07-02-80
5.08-06-80
6.09-23-80
7.10-01-80
8.10-14-80
9.12-03-80
10.02-11-81
11.04-13-81
12.04-27-81
13.05-05-81
14.05-12-81
15.05-19-81
16.06-01-81
17.06-12-81
18.06-24-81
19.07-30-81
20.08-23-81
21.08-29-81
22.09-22-81
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Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 160 (female).
1 J i J I I I .1 _]..]J 1 ,1
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7~08-05-80e.08-00-80
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A p pen dI x_1.Seq u e n tl81 s I g h II n g S 0 f r 8 d I 0 - C 0 118 red C 8 rib 0 u 18 1 (fa ma Ie).
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6.06-23-80
7.07-02-80 '
8.08-05-80
9.09-23-80
10.10-01-80
11.10-14-80
12.12-02-80
13.02-11-81
14.04-13-81
15.04-27-81 '
16.05-05-81
17.05-12-81
18.05-19-81
19.06-02-81
20.06-12-81'
21.06-23-81
22.07-30-81
23.08-22-81
24.08-29-81
25.09-22-81
.f--"I '\.
-...J
U1
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 170 (female).
fi J !,1 ]J I J )J !1 )I J
t J ]1 ]}J "~.J -I -J J
1.05-09-80
2.05-22-80
3.05-29-80
4.06-05-80
O.08-18-80
6.08-23-80
1.01-02-80
---~8.08-05-80
9.10'':'01-80
10.10-14-80
11.12-04-80
12.02-11-81
13.04-15:':'81
-',r---
.._~~
F'~
/---"~"""---
./
'/-"'\"\'-~
))-''''-~-'-'~
\)~~'10..-
J
-"~\...
\I~-"~.\,••'-,
-....Im
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 182 (female).
'-------~
/~
~Q~1
~
~
~o
~
1.05-11-80
2.05-23-80
3.06-23-80
4.07-02-80
6.08-06-80
6.09-23-80
7.10-01-80
8.12-03-80
9.02-11-81
10.04-14-81
11.04-27-81
12.05-06-81
13.05-12-81
14.06-19-81
15.06-02-81
16.06-12-81
17.06-23-81
18.07-30-81
19.08-22-81
20.08-29-81
21.09-22-81
-'-~~
--~\
,/~",
-~--
--~----
-....J
-....J
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 202 (temale).
J J )J 1 !I I J j ,._J .t I ~)J
j J }1 )J ])I 1 j J J J j J
~
..1.04-18-80
'2.04-29-80
3.08-18-80
4.08-19-80
5.08-0es-80
8.08-18-80
7.09-23-80
8 ..12-02-80
9.06-03-81
/~--~
'"\,#,.,-~",
\,
,.......,..;..-------~
------.._..""\.
/'""'"
,.\..'.~"-..
~-..._-'-
,,,..~
'~
'--"\
/....-
,/,--,
~/
~.
?,I
j(
/s/l';'/)'.'
1/--(,.-,
jI
d ~
~~
/1
j -'",/~----
./
--J
00
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 222 (male).
-...J
1.0
1.04-18-aO
2.04-29-aO
3.05-23-aO
4.05-29-aO
5.08-05-aO
6.08-18-aO
7.08-23-ao
a.07-02-ao
9.oa-05-ao
10.09-23-ao
11.10-01-ao
12.10-14-ao
13.12-04-ao
14.02-11-a1
1f?04-15-a1
\-.,
''\.,
~,
....,-.-
'---../
'\"'~
"•."------
.J
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radlo':"collared caribou 231 (female).
J J .~J J J .J I J )J I .J J I
I 1 J ---1 J -1 --1 -1 -)J j J J
~~,-
/-~_.
--,-<'
"-,"-.
..,,------....
\\\
1.05-03-80
2.05-22-80
3.05-29-80
4.06-05-80
5.06-23-80
6.07-02""80
7.08-06-80
8.09-23-80
9.12-04-80
10.02-11-81
11.04-14-81
12.04-27-81
13.05-06-81
14.05-21-81
15.05-19-81
16.06-02-81
17.06-12-81
18.06-23-81
19.07-30-81
20.08-23-81
21.09-22-81
...---..,"--
~,.--
"'\.
ex>o
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 262 (fema'e).
1.04-16-81
2.04-27-81
.3.06-06-81
I •
4.06-12-81
.'5.07-29-81
,8.08-23-81
7.08-29-81
8.09-22-81
~
~
*4
.r
""-/_0,
~
"1{
~j
~
~,
00
I-'
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 262 (male).
1 J I -.t _J )J ]J J I J .1 .J J
.~'J --J )J J l 1 j j ))i 1
/-j~
~
1.04-17-80
2.04-29-80
3.06-22-80
4.06-29-80
6.08-06-80
8.06-18-80
7.07-06-80
8.08-08-80
8.08-23-80
10.12-02-80
11.02-12-81
12.04-13-81.\
'13.06-12-81
14.06 ...19-81
16.08-01-81
18.08-12-81
11.07-30-81
18.08-23-81
18.09-22-81
~
h
...._..-~.
'~"
..~...-...._-~'-.
.-'
/'\."._/~
---_.-~-~-
;'--\
"-'\'\-
--'/'
T'',47d·l/ii{'It'J()/
(,j
);{
//)
//f/
);
/
....-.....----/----
,f"",..".-./
(
.--..•-,-.---------~
..'~
CXl
N
Appendix 1.Sequential sighting.of radio-collared caribou 271 (female).
cow
G
1.04-16-80
2.04-29-80
3.05-22-80
4.05-29-80
5.06-05-80
6.06-16-80
'7.06-23-80
8.07-02-80
9.08-05-80
10.09-23-80
11.10-01-80
12.10-14-80
13.12-03-80
14.02-11-81
15.04-13-81
16.05-05-81
17.05-12-81
18.05-19-81
19.06-02-81
20.06-12-81
21.06-23-81
22.07-31-81
23.08-22-81
24.08-29-81
25.09-22-81
'---"
~
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 291 (female).
C!f
I )1 !,~J J J J 1 I'1 I t J j J
••I."
,--J )J ]i 1 2 ")J J ))]
""
____J
1.04-16-81
2.05-12-81
3.05-19-81
4.06-01-81
5.06-12-81
6.06-23...,81
7.07-30-81
8.08-22-81
9.08-29-81
10.09-22-81
r
.,-~._~
/,r"
----.(--
'L~-,
'",-
'-.
!
-;/-/J
r-----
~.
.--------.-
"',
00,t::-
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of rlldlo-collared caribou 301 (male).
~~~
11
_~1.04-14-80
~.04-29-80
3.06-23-80
4.08-06-80
8.08-06-80
7.09-23-80
8.10-01-80
9.12-03-80
10.02-11-81
11.04-13-81
12.04-27-81
13.05-06-81
14.05-12-81
115.05-19-81
18.08-02-81
11.08-12-81
18.08-23-81
19.07-30-81
20.08-29-81
'12
~
-~
"-----"
..'--.----------
--~\"'\.,-
-/
,.'
r-J/~,..
)J"~.,,_..............._-
f
~/-............
r~/~
-'--,,-
It,-,,7'\\,
':
(
l/'i
(,
-/
Y2-.~/"
jJ
co
lJJ
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 311 (female).
])J -,j _J J J )j J J J J •J !
l 1 1 1 )J J 1 )E
~.--...,
""'-,.._----~.
---------
CB
~1
/~
,
\"1,
'-----"')
1.04-14-80
2.04-29-80
3.05-22-80
4.06-05-80
5.06-23-80
6.07-02-80
7.08-05-80
8.09-23-80
9.10-01-80
10.10-14-80
11.12-03-80
12.02-11-81
13.04-13-81
14.04-27-81
15.05-05-81
16.05-12-81
17.05-19-81
18.06-02-81
19.06-12-81
20.06-23-81
21.07-30-81
22.08-22-81
23.08-29-81
24.09-21-81
--------.<
00
JI
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlnga of radio-collared caribou 322 (female).
~-~-..-/
,-----
~
~
,
"
''\.,
"-..~
J'
1.04-16-80
2.04-29-80
3.06-22-80
4.06-16-80
6.07-05-80
6.10-01-80
7.10-14-80
8.12-03-80
9.02-11-81
10.04-16-81
~----~-
~'"',
\-----,
co
-..J
Appendix 1.Sequential elghtlnge of radio-collared caribou 332 (male).
J J I 1 .J ))J ,,J !J J J )j
l 1 })1 -)1 ]J )-J ._]
/'
~
---~.
'~
,..'->---"--'......
'.........
1.05-11-80
2.05-23-80
3.06-16-80
4.06-23-80
5.07-02-80
6.08-05-80
7.09-23-80
8.10-01-80
9.10-14-80
10.12.03-80
11.02-11-81
12.04-13-81
13.04-27-81
14.05-05-81
15.05-,12-81 .
16.05-19-81
17.06-01-81
18.06-12-81
19.06-23-81
20.07-30-81
21.08-22-81
22.08,....29-81
23.09-22-81
",~.--_'~
.-."-,
·'...·"'1...'0·'......
/--/--------
///..
00
00
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 341 (temale).
~
1.04-18-80
2.04-29-80
3.06-22-80
4.05-29-80
6.06-06-80
e.06-16-80
7.07-06-80
8.08-06-80
9.09-23-80
10.12-02-80
11.02-1·2-81
12.04-13-81
13.06-12-81
14.05-19-81
16.06-01-81
1 e.06-12-81
17.07-30-81
18.08-23-81
18.09-22-81
.~
9
.~~
.'--._-~-
.....~
/-~
.I
,/
./
"..--/-'"""'---._~'"
\.;..'.'-~~
--./--------------.
(r "./,---~~
.~......"\.
(~--~.\\-.--\/.
/_._.J-.~
~/;.\
l'J 1
(
f;~.-,/'\.~)
(1-/
.~
00
\.0
Appendix 1.Sequential elghtlnge of radio-collared caribou 361 (female).
-,J )))J J J I .1 I J .J .t ~J .1 )I
1 J 1 "J '})J )•1 )1 I 1 1
~
~
..1.04-17-80
2.04-29-80
3.06-22-80
4.08-06-80
5.09-23-80
O.12-02-80
7.08-23-81
~~
1~
"-~-...~
'~
~'~~
/~-----
,..'.
,/
r_.~/r------';
.,/"
..-r'·
/~/---...
._--_.....,.-----...~-
/"'/---./".
I
,-.r,__\
'\""-/1
,--'
")/flIT1;.
!-~-
t1/,.,
\.0o
Appendix 1.Sequential alghtlnga of radio-collared caribou 371 (male).
~
~
1.04-16-80
2.06-22-80
3.08-18-80
4.08-06-80
6.09-23-80
8.10-01-80
7.10-14-80
8.12-02-80
B.04-16-81
,
L
~.
\\._-
,.------~.-/----.
/-.~
,.,.1
,J
.-......._---'---,-~
(.....,.----
(
-~.\
~,,/
If
/5/-./i"
/f"--
1/;-~
--''---"",\
"'~~
,/-~
~.
...~~
~
I-'
Ap pen d Ix 1•Seq uen II alai 9h II n9 It of ra d10 -co"are d car Ib 0 U 38 2 (m a Ie).
J .~J I .J J I J t I J J J I J ,J J
1
\0
l'V
"-'''-,-
'\
1 1 )1 I
~
J
1.04-18-80
2.04-29-80
3.05-22-80
4.08-10-80
5~08-11-80
(8.08-18-80
\7.09-23-80
/8.10-14-80
(9.11-24-~0
110.12-04-80
,11.08-25-$1
J 1 --J
Appendix 1.Sequential alghtlnga of radio-collared caribou 390 (male).
t.04-16~80
2.-'04-30':"80
3.09-23-80
4.1'0-01-80
15.10-14-80
8.04"27-81
7.08-01-81
1 8.08-04-81
'~9.08":22-81
)10.08-29-81
I,.11.09-22-81
~
~
11
~
*8
>-.J---"""\
L
~,".~;,
I _,/r
i J'I ...'"
/I J ....'"~'>--"L~""t~
..----~
\
\
/
(J /'-~-,"---.:;:::::----,14·_........
1..0
W
Appendix 1.Sequential Ilghtlngl of radio-collared caribou 401 (male).
I J J ~'I ...J _.J __J _t _J I ,I J .J ~_I J J
)-.J }]1 )J )I 1 )J 1 1 1 )
/C"
1.04-14-80
2.04-29-80
3.05-23-80
4.05-29-80
5.06-05-80
6.06-23-80
7.08-05-80
8.10-01-80
9.10-14-80
10.12-03-80
11.02-11-81
12.04-14-81 II ~~A --~//(~313.04-27-81
14.05-05-81
15.05-12-81 /~j ~~~516.05-19-81 *8 *~III 17.06-02-81 ~9
18.06-12-81
19.06-23-81 ~320.07-30-81
21.08-22-81 II /~~~~22.08-29-81 ~23.09-22-81
*1 ~
~I --_.-
'\~?In ,..-,~
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 411 (male).
'.0
U1
\
I"
II"
1.04-16-81
2.04-27-81.
3.05-05-81
4.05-12-81
5.'06-09-81
6.07-29-81
7.08-23-81
8.09-21-81
~
~
~1 ~
Appendix 1.Sequential Ilghtlngl of radio-collared caribou 422 (male).
I J J ~J )_J )J J 1 _J J J t J ,.1
]-1 -~J ~~J ,J D J -1 --j --I
*19
(
1.04-16-80
2.04-29-80
3.05-23-80
4.06-23-80
6.08-05-80
6.09-23-80
7.10-01-80'
8.10-14-80
9.12-04-80
10.02-11-81
11.04-14-81
.12.04-27-81 .
13.05-06-81
14.05-12-81
15.05-19-81
16.06-01-81
17.06-12-81
18.08-23-81
19.07-30-81
20.08-23-81
21.09-22-81
,.,-.7"",/,....~
1.0
0"\
"
Appendix 1.Sequential elghtlnga of radio-collared caribou 431 (male).
\.0
-...J
1.04-14-80
2.04-29-80
3.05-23-80
4.05-29-80
5.06-05-80
6.06-16-80
7.06-23-80
8.07-02-80
9.08-05-80
10.09-23-80
11.10-01-80
12.10-14-80
13.12-03-80
14.02-11-81
15.04-13-81
16.04-27-81
17.05-12-81
18.05-19-81
19.06-02-81
20.06-12-81
21.06-23-81
22.08-22-81
23.09-22-81
r/"·-\·
"-,-~-=-'~-------.....-..._~~,,-..---r---
~
r--/----.
,/
(!)
1
~~
Appendl x 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radio-collared caribou 441 (female).
...._cJ J .J __J J I
."'...J ..1 J D t j ~J _J .1
!1 1 )»J 1 1 --1 J --i J -)]
~
~
~
1.05-09-80
2.06-22-80
3.05-29-80
4.08-05-80
5.08-18-80
8.08-24-80
7.07-06-80
8.08-05-80
9.10-01-80
10.12-02-80
-1t~02-12-81
12.04-13-81
13.04-27-81
14.05-12-81
15.05-19-81
18.08-=01-81
17.08-12-81
\..,18.07-29-81L,',)19,.08-23-81
(20.09-22-81
,'.
~o
j'-"',..----./'
f
-\
'\
(....--~\"---...,,"-
I,.r--
/'~
r-/
/""'-~
,,~-----~..
-~''----~',/
/:0,
J,/./Ifi/-'
II)-j/i'
--'
/"/~
j
\.0co
Appendix 1.Sequential sighting.of radio-collared caribou 453 (temale).
~
1.06-09-80
2.06-22-80
3.08-24-80
4.10-01-80
5.12-02-80
6.02-12-81
7.04-13-81
8.06-12-81
8.06-19-81
10.08-01-81
11.08-12-81
12.07-29-81
13.09-22-81
(
/
,.._,~
/
\_~
"---------------
-~\'-\
-"-
."\"\
}'---',,---,.
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs o.radio-collared caribou 468 (female).
-\
(r/1(.(,,)
(~Pi
fir1.0
1.0
J ~.J j J _J 1 I J I I J »!)J •••
".-:.
....._]--···-1 '-~--··l 1 .-----~1 1 1 .---1 -..-)1 .1 )S
1-.-
~'
~
4
~-
1.06-11-80
2.05-23-80
3.06-23-80
4.07-02-80
6.08-05-80
.6.09-23-80
.7.10-01-80
8.10-14-80
9.12-04-80
10.02-11~81
11.04-14-'-81-
12.04-27-81
13.05-05-81
14.05-12-81
16.05-19-81
16.06-01-81
17.06-12-81
18.06-23-81
19.07-30-81
20.08-22-81
21.08-29-81
22.09-22-81
""--------"""'"
"",
"'-
/r-.J
----/.-~-
.......---...".
~
"--_..
I-'oo
/
/
Appendix 1.Sequential IIlghtlngll of radio-collared caribou 466 (female).
I-'o
I-'
1.05-04-80
2.05-23-80
3.05-29-80
4.06-05-80
5.06-16-80
6.07-02-80
7.08-06-80
8.09-23-80
9.10-01-80
10.10-14-80
11."12-03-80
12.02-11-81
13.04-14-81
14.04-27-81
15.05-05-81
16.05-12-81
17."05-19-81
18."06-01-81
19.06-12-81"
20."06-23-81
21.07-30-81
22.08-22-81"
23.08-29-81
24.09-21-81
~o'1 ~
Appendix 1.Sequential slghtlngs of radIo-collared carIbou 801 (female).
--~_J --,-)--~____I ~.I c_._~_J -.!J J __J J