Ya Ha Tinda Elk Project

Project Partners: University of Alberta, University of Montana

SCIF Investment: $127,000 with partial funding from the Hunter Legacy Fund

SCIF began Involvement: 2013-2017

The Ya Ha Tinda elk herd plays an important economic role in drawing hunters, recreationists, and wildlife enthusiasts to both Parks Canada and provincial lands. This research will guide management actions to ensure benefits of the Ya Ha Tinda elk herd are appreciated well into the future.

Project Outcome

The project is part of a long-term study of this elk population near Banff NP in Alberta. They have put GPS collars on adult bulls to track their migratory movements and survival (including hunting vulnerability). In 2018 32 bull elk were captured and monitored 32. Of these, 19 moved into Banff in the summer/fall, where they are not available for harvest. Eight collared bulls were harvested legally during the 2018 season after they either remained at Ya Ha Tinda or migrated to adjacent game lands. They continue to capture and monitor more elk in order to gain a better understanding of this elk population.

Information in this Project Update was provided by the Ya Ha Tinda Elk Project.