NGPC collaring data show wide elk movements; agency still in herd-reduction phase for many units

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staff reported progress in an elk GPS-collar study and summarized harvest and survival data for 2024.

Alicia Harden, wildlife division chief, and Luke Madoona discussed that NGPC had collared 161 elk to date for ongoing studies — 109 cows and 52 bulls — and planned another collaring effort in the coming weeks. Madoona said overall bull survival was about 70% and cow survival about 78% through the monitoring period; he said hunting accounted for roughly 72% of elk mortality reported to date, consistent with the agency’s current herd-reduction goals in many units.

Staff described unexpectedly large seasonal movements by some collared elk. Examples included bulls and cows moving across river corridors and state lines — one bull traveled from west of Llewellyn to Kansas and Colorado during seasonal movements, and another collared cow traveled roughly 95 miles round trip following seasonal routes. Madoona said roughly half of collared elk had separate seasonal ranges averaging about 15 kilometers (nine miles) apart.

Madoona said NGPC has increased harvest quotas in several peripheral units and adjusted unit boundaries in recent years to better distribute hunting pressure. He said the agency will continue to evaluate permits and herd metrics and that the commission remains in a herd-reduction phase for many units.