Elk populations in the western United States and Canadian provinces

Monitoring population size is used by widlife biologists to determine elk population management strategies and evaluate the success of previous management. However, the distribution of elk is quite reduced and local populations are often dense and this may have effects on rangelands. Accurate population estimates may be necessary to determine appropriate stocking rates for rangeland shared by elk and domestic livestock. The potentially delicate balance of maintaining desired elk populations and healthy rangelands may hinge on the accuracy of these estimates. Procedures used to assess elk populations, how the estimates were used and the level of accuracy the agencies believed those procedures are provided.