Elk Migration Patterns, and Some of the Factors Affecting Movements in the Gallatin River Drainage, Montana

son (1951) reported the use of these markers for 1949 and 1950 in his paper on the elk calf. The writer worked with Johnson in 1950 and continued the project in 1951, when 93 calves were marked. Symbols of the same shape were used. The color combination designating 1951 was red and yellow. Thus 225 calves were marked in the 3 years. Johnson has pointed out the value of these markers for migration studies, so far as durability and visibility are concerned, but his data were too few to indicate the migration routes although he did suggest the general pattern of elk migrations. Since then, many more sight and kill records of elk marked as calves have accumulated. The present paper is an attempt to evaluate these records on the basis of movement, and to show the migration routes of the Gallatin River drainage elk herd. In addition, the writer gathered information on some factors which possibly affect elk movements. For a description of the study area see Johnson (op. cit.). Thanks are extended to J. E. Gaab,