. Fig. 112. Distribution of Cervus canadensis nel- soni in Colorado. Approximate modern distribution shaded; historic distribution perhaps statewide in suitable habitat. For explanation of symbols, see p. Transplanting has led to an apparent ex- tension of range in western Colorado. Elk were introduced at Colorado National Monu- ment in 1924 from the Denver Mountain Parks. Animals now winter there, in Glade Park, and on Piiion Mesa. P. H. Miller (1964: 100) learned from long-time residents of the area that elk had not occurred northwest of Unaweep Canyon prior to their introduction into the Na
. Fig. 112. Distribution of Cervus canadensis nel- soni in Colorado. Approximate modern distribution shaded; historic distribution perhaps statewide in suitable habitat. For explanation of symbols, see p. Transplanting has led to an apparent ex- tension of range in western Colorado. Elk were introduced at Colorado National Monu- ment in 1924 from the Denver Mountain Parks. Animals now winter there, in Glade Park, and on Piiion Mesa. P. H. Miller (1964: 100) learned from long-time residents of the area that elk had not occurred northwest of Unaweep Canyon prior to their introduction into the National Monument. Re-establishment of elk in Rocky Moun- tain National Park allowed study of the ef- fects of increasing numbers on the habitat. Wright et al. (1933) discussed the status of elk in the park. Re-establishment was made difficult because during the period that elk were rare or absent in the area patterns of land-use changed and the winter range of the elk was separated from the summer range by settlement and fencing. Serious shortages of winter forage resulted, and damage by elk befell ranchers in the vicinity. The situation was relieved to some extent by the addition of parts of Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park, and Beaver Meadows to Rocky Mountain Na- tional Park. Today, those areas are excellent places to observe elk in large numbers in winter. Packard (1947a) discussed deer and elk in Rocky Mountain National Park in de- tail (also see Cahalane, 1948:254). In 1969, 20,850 elk were harvested in Colo- rado. The five leading counties in the 1969 elk harvest were Rio Blanco, Routt, Gunni- son, Archuleta, and La Plata (Colorado Big Game Harvest, 1969: passim). Management of Coloradan elk is by a system comparable to that used for deer. Seasons, numbers of permits issued, and restrictions on sex and age of lawful game are based on local condi- tions and vary widely over the state. It is possible that the wapiti is conspecific with the Eurasian red deer, Cervus elaphus (see
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