By Scout Nelson
Elk once disappeared from Nebraska in the late 1800s, but their gradual return since the 1960s has created new challenges and opportunities for conservation. Today, these majestic animals number in thousands, roaming a landscape that has been dramatically reshaped by farming and development. Scientists are now uncovering how elk navigate this patchwork of prairies, forests, and cropland.
A new study led by Tabitha Hughes, a PhD student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has provided the first detailed look at elk movements in Nebraska. The research, published in Biological Conservation, tracked more than 150 elk using GPS collars to learn when, where, and why they move.
“In some cases, it appeared that completely different groups of elk occupied natural and agricultural spaces, when in reality it was often the same elk that had moved a considerable distance,” Hughes said.
The findings revealed that elk shift seasonally between wild and agricultural areas, drawn by both natural forage and crops such as corn. In areas with dense vegetation and plentiful cropland, elk used smaller home ranges, while some traveled farther during calving and fall to access fields.
This attraction to cropland has increased human-wildlife conflict, with elk damaging crops and breaking fences. However, hunters continue to value elk highly, making management decisions complex. Hughes and her team suggest that expanding natural forage areas could help reduce seasonal migration into cropland, offering a sustainable management alternative.
“The better we understand these animals, the better equipped wildlife biologists will be to manage elk populations for the public to enjoy,” Hughes said.
This research helps fill an important knowledge gap in elk ecology and provides wildlife managers with essential tools to balance conservation goals, agricultural interests, and hunting opportunities across Nebraska’s evolving landscape.
Photo Credit:nebraska-extension
Categories: Nebraska, Education