Above: Bull elk forage along the Gardner River in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park. The health of the Northern Herd of Yellowstone Elk has been the source of great debate throughout the history of Yellowstone.

2004-2005 Winter Count of Northern Yellowstone Elk
The Northern Yellowstone Cooperative Wildlife Working Group conducted its annual winter survey of the northern Yellowstone elk population on January 5, 2005. A total of 9,545 elk were counted during good survey conditions. Approximately two-thirds of the observed elk were located within Yellowstone National Park, while one-third was located north of the park boundary. Biologists used four fixed-wing aircraft to count elk through the entire northern range during the 1-day survey. The northern Yellowstone elk herd winters between the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park and Dome Mountain/Dailey Lake in the Paradise Valley.

This year’s total of 9,545 elk was 15% higher than the 8,335 elk counted last winter and slightly higher than the 9,215 elk counted during the winter of 2003. Yellowstone National Park wildlife biologist P.J. White stated, “the increase in counted elk from last year most likely is a result of better survey conditions and detection of elk this winter, rather than an actual increase in elk numbers.” Survey conditions were good, owing to a significant snowstorm on December 31, 2004, that covered the landscape and caused elk to concentrate in relatively open areas at lower elevations where detection was likely higher in comparison to the last several mild winters.

Below: A young bull watches the harem of another, larger bull. It's still early in the season, and the full-scale battles of the autumn rut are still at a low boil.