Elk within the Clarks Fork herd migrate though some of the most rugged and remote terrain in the lower 48 states. The herd, which numbers around 3,000, winters in the Sunlight Basin and the Absaroka foothills just west of Cody, WY. Winter ranges are a mix of sagebrush hills and lodgepole pine forests, within expansive private ranchlands. During migration, animals travel an average one-way distance of 33 miles, with some animals migrating as far as 67 miles. Spring migrations off of winter range head west towards Yellowstone National Park, up several drainages that flow out of the Absaroka Mountains, including the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone, Crandall Creek, and smaller creeks to the south. Summer ranges consist of alpine and subalpine meadows embedded within spruce-fir and lodgepole pine forest that are predominately within the Park. The Clarks Fork herd is partially migratory, with migrants and resident animals mixing on winter range (residents tend to winter along the foothills further east). Over the last decade, the migratory segment has seen poor recruitment due to drought and increased rates of predation by grizzly bears and wolves, while resident animals have been more productive and continue to expand to the east. Aside from the poor recruitment, the migrations are relatively safe because most of the routes traverse lands within the National Forest or National Park system. These data provide the location of winter ranges for elk (Bison bison) in Yellowstone National Park. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 107 winter sequences collected from a sample size of 46 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.

Elk (Cervus elpahus canadensis) within the southernmost section of the Absaroka Range, just north of the Wind River Range, display altitudinal migration (fig. 71). In the spring, they migrate from the southern foothills near Dubois up into the mountains, and in the fall, they head back down to lower elevations. The herd, which numbers around 6,000, primarily winters between the Absaroka Range to the north and the Wind River Range to the south. Winter ranges consist mostly of shrubs, largely supported by private land with smaller areas of BLM and Wyoming Game and Fish land. During migration animals travel an average one way distance of 32 mi (51 km) ranging from as little as 8 mi (13 km) to as far as 69 mi (111 km). In spring, animals migrate off winter range and head north and northwest up the southern side of the Absaroka Range following clearings between the pine trees. Summer ranges consist of evergreen forests that are predominantly lodgepole pine with smaller areas of open herbaceous grasslands and low growing shrubs. The summer range is almost entirely within the Shoshone National Forest, however, a large portion of the herd group off and head northwest into the Teton National Forest. The population size of the herd has remained relatively steady over the last decade. While there is a higher concern for the animals on their winter range because it largely consists of private land, their migration routes are much safer because they do not cross any highways and are for the most part within the Shoshone or Teton National Forests. The group that migrates northwest into the Tetons may encounter route 26, which could pose a threat of collision with motorists. Additionally, some individuals may winter in the Wind River Indian Reservation. Most of the herd will summer within the boundaries of the Shoshone and Teton National Forest and are therefore under much less threat during those months. These data provide the location of migration routes for elk in the Wiggins Fork population in Wyoming. They were developed from 80 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 16 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.

Elk (Cervus elpahus canadensis) within the southernmost section of the Absaroka Range, just north of the Wind River Range, display altitudinal migration (fig. 71). In the spring, they migrate from the southern foothills near Dubois up into the mountains, and in the fall, they head back down to lower elevations. The herd, which numbers around 6,000, primarily winters between the Absaroka Range to the north and the Wind River Range to the south. Winter ranges consist mostly of shrubs, largely supported by private land with smaller areas of BLM and Wyoming Game and Fish land. During migration animals travel an average one way distance of 32 mi (51 km) ranging from as little as 8 mi (13 km) to as far as 69 mi (111 km). In spring, animals migrate off winter range and head north and northwest up the southern side of the Absaroka Range following clearings between the pine trees. Summer ranges consist of evergreen forests that are predominantly lodgepole pine with smaller areas of open herbaceous grasslands and low growing shrubs. The summer range is almost entirely within the Shoshone National Forest, however, a large portion of the herd group off and head northwest into the Teton National Forest. The population size of the herd has remained relatively steady over the last decade. While there is a higher concern for the animals on their winter range because it largely consists of private land, their migration routes are much safer because they do not cross any highways and are for the most part within the Shoshone or Teton National Forests. The group that migrates northwest into the Tetons may encounter route 26, which could pose a threat of collision with motorists. Additionally, some individuals may winter in the Wind River Indian Reservation. Most of the herd will summer within the boundaries of the Shoshone and Teton National Forest and are therefore under much less threat during those months. These data provide the location of migration routes for elk in the Wiggins Fork population in Wyoming. They were developed from 80 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 16 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.

Mule deer within the Clarks Fork herd make a number of significant westward long-distance migrations. These migrations originate north of Cody, near Heart Mountain and along the foothills of Absaroka Front. There, deer winter in the lower elevation sagebrush valleys, and in spring an estimated 2,700 deer head west into the high elevation mountain valleys of the Absaroka Range and Yellowstone National Park. This herd summers along the Lamar River, Cache Creek, and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone. The longest migration is 68 miles and ends just north of Yellowstone Lake along the Yellowstone River in the Hayden Valley. These challenging journeys, an average of 38 miles long, cross rugged terrain and steep mountain passes such as those at the head of Sunlight Creek at 11,400 feet in elevation. Deer must also navigate human-created obstacles such as fences and the Beartooth Highway (US Highway 212). These data provide the location of migration routes for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Clarks Fork population in Wyoming. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 79 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 29 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.

Mule deer within the Clarks Fork herd make a number of significant westward long-distance migrations. These migrations originate north of Cody, near Heart Mountain and along the foothills of Absaroka Front. There, deer winter in the lower elevation sagebrush valleys, and in spring an estimated 2,700 deer head west into the high elevation mountain valleys of the Absaroka Range and Yellowstone National Park. This herd summers along the Lamar River, Cache Creek, and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone. The longest migration is 68 miles and ends just north of Yellowstone Lake along the Yellowstone River in the Hayden Valley. These challenging journeys, an average of 38 miles long, cross rugged terrain and steep mountain passes such as those at the head of Sunlight Creek at 11,400 feet in elevation. Deer must also navigate human-created obstacles such as fences and the Beartooth Highway (US Highway 212). These data provide the location of migration routes for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Clarks Fork population in Wyoming. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 79 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 29 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.

The Cody elk herd migrates across rugged country on the eastern side of the Absaroka Mountains near Cody, WY. This large herd of 6,000-7,000 animals winters in foothill habitat to the south and west of Cody. There are three core winter areas, namely the valleys formed by the North and South Fork of the Shoshone River and the headwaters of the Greybull River north to Meeteetse creek. In spring, the elk that winter along the North Fork of the Shoshone generally follow the river west towards the park, some of them branching up Eagle Creek and other tributaries. The elk that winter in the South Fork of the Shoshone follow it upstream in spring, eventually heading west up Ishawooa Creek and into the Thorofare and Yellowstone National Park. The elk that winter in the upper Greybull River drainage also summer in the Thorofare, but their journey is more arduous. From winter range, they climb nearly 3,000 vertical feet, up and over Needle Mountain, before descending down to the Shoshone River, only to climb again out of the river up to the Thorofare for summer. Some animals in this herd make migrations as far as 117 miles, while others make shorter migration; the mean migration length is 58 miles. Like the Clarks Fork herd, this herd is also partially migratory, with resident animals typically exhibiting higher levels of calf recruitment. Since most of the migrations of this herd cross public forest and park land, the most pressing management issue is to maintain strong collaborative relationships with the large landowners that privately manage much of the winter range these elk return to each autumn. These data provide the location of migration routes for Elk (Cervus canadensis) in the Cody herd in Wyoming. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 109 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 28 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.

The Cody elk herd migrates across rugged country on the eastern side of the Absaroka Mountains near Cody, WY. This large herd of 6,000-7,000 animals winters in foothill habitat to the south and west of Cody. There are three core winter areas, namely the valleys formed by the North and South Fork of the Shoshone River and the headwaters of the Greybull River north to Meeteetse creek. In spring, the elk that winter along the North Fork of the Shoshone generally follow the river west towards the park, some of them branching up Eagle Creek and other tributaries. The elk that winter in the South Fork of the Shoshone follow it upstream in spring, eventually heading west up Ishawooa Creek and into the Thorofare and Yellowstone National Park. The elk that winter in the upper Greybull River drainage also summer in the Thorofare, but their journey is more arduous. From winter range, they climb nearly 3,000 vertical feet, up and over Needle Mountain, before descending down to the Shoshone River, only to climb again out of the river up to the Thorofare for summer. Some animals in this herd make migrations as far as 117 miles, while others make shorter migration; the mean migration length is 58 miles. Like the Clarks Fork herd, this herd is also partially migratory, with resident animals typically exhibiting higher levels of calf recruitment. Since most of the migrations of this herd cross public forest and park land, the most pressing management issue is to maintain strong collaborative relationships with the large landowners that privately manage much of the winter range these elk return to each autumn. These data provide the location of migration routes for Elk (Cervus canadensis) in the Cody herd in Wyoming. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 109 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 28 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.

Elk (Cervus elpahus canadensis) within the western section of the Bighorn Mountains display altitudinal migration. In the spring, they migrate from the western foothills up into the mountains, and in the fall, they head back down to lower elevations (fig. 70). The herd, which numbers around 2,700, winters along the western foothills of the Bighorn Mountains along the eastern section of the Bighorn Basin. Winter ranges are a mix of shrubs and herbaceous grasslands, largely supported by private and BLM land, though many individuals will remain within the boundaries of the Bighorn National Forest. During migration animals travel an average one way distance of 20 mi (32 km) ranging from as little as 5 mi (8 km) to as far as 74 mi (119 km). In spring, animals migrate off winter range and head east up the Bighorn Mountains. They traverse up the slopes generally following clearings in between extensive pine forests. Summer ranges consist of evergreen forests that are predominantly lodgepole pine with smaller areas of open herbaceous grasslands. The summer range is almost entirely within the Bighorn National Forest, but some individuals will summer in private land to the south. The population size of the herd has remained relatively steady over the last decade. While there is a higher concern for the animals on their winter range because it contains large areas of private land, their migration routes are much safer because they are relatively short, do not cross any highways and are for the most part within the Bighorn National Forest. These data provide the location of migration routes for elk in the Medicine Lodge population in Wyoming. They were developed from 52 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 19 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.

Elk (Cervus elpahus canadensis) within the western section of the Bighorn Mountains display altitudinal migration. In the spring, they migrate from the western foothills up into the mountains, and in the fall, they head back down to lower elevations (fig. 70). The herd, which numbers around 2,700, winters along the western foothills of the Bighorn Mountains along the eastern section of the Bighorn Basin. Winter ranges are a mix of shrubs and herbaceous grasslands, largely supported by private and BLM land, though many individuals will remain within the boundaries of the Bighorn National Forest. During migration animals travel an average one way distance of 20 mi (32 km) ranging from as little as 5 mi (8 km) to as far as 74 mi (119 km). In spring, animals migrate off winter range and head east up the Bighorn Mountains. They traverse up the slopes generally following clearings in between extensive pine forests. Summer ranges consist of evergreen forests that are predominantly lodgepole pine with smaller areas of open herbaceous grasslands. The summer range is almost entirely within the Bighorn National Forest, but some individuals will summer in private land to the south. The population size of the herd has remained relatively steady over the last decade. While there is a higher concern for the animals on their winter range because it contains large areas of private land, their migration routes are much safer because they are relatively short, do not cross any highways and are for the most part within the Bighorn National Forest. These data provide the location of migration routes for elk in the Medicine Lodge population in Wyoming. They were developed from 52 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 19 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.

The North of Interstate 40 (I-40) elk (Cervus canadensis) herd makes an annual migration throughout some of Arizona’s high elevation landscapes west of Flagstaff. The bulk of the herd resides in Arizona’s Game Management Unit (GMU) 7W during the summer and during the winter many migrate to GMU 10. The GMU 7W population had an estimate of 4,300 individuals in 2019, while the GMU 10 population had an estimate of 3,200. Like many elk in Arizona, only a portion of the herd is migratory. Summer range contains ponderosa pine forests and open prairies near Government Prairie and Sitgreaves Mountain. In the winter, the elk transition to gradually lower elevations and habitats dominated by pinyon-juniper woodlands. I-40 and State Route 64 are primary threats to this migration corridor. Successful elk crossings of I-40 are rare, and research has shown that there are more than 65 elk-vehicle collisions/year along this stretch (Gagnon et al. 2012a,b). These data provide the location of migration routes for elk from the North of Interstate 40 Herd in Arizona. They were developed using 49 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 18 adult elk comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.