Effects of hunting regulations on bull elk survival and age structure

Minimum-point regulations have been used as a strategy to promote bull elk survival without limiting hunter opportunity. Further evaluation and documentation of the efficacy of minimum-point regulations are needed. We used tooth-collection data to determine effects of 2 hunting regulation strategies on the age structure of bull elk (Cervus elaphus) in the northern Oregon Coast Range and to validate post-hunting-season telephone survey data. We collected teeth from 850 bulls harvested during rifle seasons in 3 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) during 1994-1998 and calculated annual survival with univariate regression analysis of age structure data, Average annual survival of bull elk was 0.57 (SD =0.10). Bull survival did not differ among WMUs with any-bull and minimum-point regulation types (t(10)=-0.21, P=0.84). In all 3 WMUs, over 90% of the bulls were harvested before age 4, regardless of hunting regulation strategy. Based on post-harvest elk population surveys and telephone harvest data, bull escapement and proportion of bulls killed when first legally available for harvest did not differ under any-bull and minimum-point regulations. With great hunter pressure in the Oregon Coast Range, minimum-point regulations are not likely to increase number of older bulls without limiting hunter numbers.