Specifications include, but are not limited to: NDOW is seeking a qualified vendor to analyze existing elk radio-collar data to generate maps of probabilistic habitat use and survival estimates, as well as assisting the Department in the delineation of seasonal habitats to meet requirements identified in Executive Order 2021-18. Over the past decade, the Nevada Department of Wildlife has collected movement data of elk using GPS-enabled radio-collars. Purposes of these monitoring activities included herd delineation, behavior in response to harvest pressure, and mortality investigations. Given the geographic scale, encompassing 3 of 4 ecoregions of Nevada (Stoner and Schroeder, 2023), and sample sizes exceeding n = 100 individuals, this dataset provides an opportunity to better understand habitat requirements and baseline demographics of elk in Nevada. Further, these efforts will inform the creation of updated habitat distribution layers to inform land-use planning decisions.
