July 1 (Julian date 182) until the last
bus run on September 16 (Julian date 259), 1988. Concern that
animals, present in the early season, and not habituated to human
activity, are possibly driven away by road traffic, led to
monitoring a full season, May 27 (Julian date 147)-September 17

~ date 2¢0), 1989. Drivers continued the study during 1990
and 1991, collecting data from May 23 (Julian date 143) through
September 17 (Julian date 260) and May 23 (Julian date 143
through September 14 (Julian date 257), respectively. Data were
entered in dBase III+ format for descriptive analysis (see
Appendix 2). We presented the Denali Road monitoring system to
Denali National Park Resources Management in early May 1991 (Fig.
10) for implementation as an annual operational procedure.

Park management requested data be analyzed by “management units”
as follows( letter from Superintendent Martin to Dale Taylor
diated 14 December 1995):

LOCATION MILEPOST
George Parks lighway to Savage R r
ge Parks Highway to Savage

Mile 17 to Teklanika Rest Stop..
Teklanika Rest Stop to Toklat... oe oe oe
Toklat to Stony Overlook... eee ee ee ee eee

Stony Overlook to Eielson Visitor’s Center........ >62-66
Eielson to Wonder Lake Ranger Station............. >66-87

16


The mean number of caribou observed per bus trip per milepost was
calculated for each month and for the year of 1989 (Figs. 18-23).
These data show the relative caribou usage of habitat along the
road by month and for the entire year.

Fewer than 0.2 caribou per mile were observed during each month,
and for the year from milepost 1-30. Minor numbers of caribou
were observed from milepost 45-55 during May. From there to mile
87, caribou were not recorded during May either due to lack of
traffic (one bus) (Table 8), or absence of caribou. The section of
the road with the highest consistent number of caribou was from
approximately milepost 50-73 (Figs. 19-23). The greatest number
of caribou observed per milepost was in June(Fig. 19).

Mileposts 65-67, the area around Eielson Visitor Center, showed
the highest number of caribou per mile (Fig. 23).

FIG. 18. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER MILEPOST BUS TRIP, MAY, 1989

MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU
iS
'

= © 5 &@ se ee 5 Bw
RB & & 8 | Fb &

MILEPOST

61
66
71
76
81
86



Cariksou we rly every day of each season (Table 11).

Annually, 8 sengers observed caribou. Caribou
were observed more consistently on shuttle trips than on tour
trips because shuttle trips traveled farther along the road into
areas where caribou were present. Depending upon the month, 72%
to 100% of shuttle passengers observed caribou, compared to 58%
to 100% of tour passengers.

Caribou were observed by 93% to 100% of the passengers during
May, but there were fewer days of observation during that month.
Typically, fewer passengers observed caribou during September
than during other months (Table 11).

Table 11. Percentage of passengers who observed caribou by month and year and
transportation type.

PASSENGER TOTAL PERCENT WHO

SPECIES YEAR MONTH OBSERVERS PASSENGERS OBSERVED
CARIBOU 1988

SHUTTLE JULY 2748 2781 98.81
AUGUST 2345 2469 94.98
SEPTEMBER 782 1045 71.96
TOTAL 5845 6295 92.85

TOUR JULY 4821 5494 87.75
AUGUST 4989 5250 95.03
SEPTEMBER 867 1496 57.95
TOTAL 10677 12240 87.23

TOTAL JULY 7569 8275 91.47
AUGUST 7334 7719 95.01
SEPTEMBER 1619 2541 63.72
TOTAL 16522 18235 90.61

1989

SHUTTLE MAY 439 439 100.00
JUNE 2206 . 2224 99.19
JULY 1807 1807 100.00
AUGUST 1846 1886 97.88
SEPTEMBER 433 433 100.00
TOTAL 6731 6789 99.10

TOUR MAY 414 414 100.00
JUNE 2488 2705 91.98
JULY 3385 3568 94.87
AUGUST 3259 3393 96.05
SEPTEMBER 1416 1548 . 91.47
TOTAL 10962 11628 94.00

31


FIG. 25. NUMBER OF CARIBOU FER OBSERVATION BY JULIAN CATE, 1533

200 - oe

180

160 +

140

nae

120

4

100

NUMBER OF CARIBOU

135 145° «(1550165175 18S 195205 21S 225235245255
JULIAN DATE

FIG. 25Q MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY MONTH, 1989

MEAN NUMBER
e



and
the

DAILY NUMBER OF TOUR BUSES

educated in the work of driving and observing wildlife along

park road.

Fig. 6. Daily number of tour buses, Denali National Park and

Preserve, 1989.

1989

30

0 + + + + +
145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215 225 235 245 255
JULIAN DATE

Data Collection and Analysis

We provided an experimental data form to each selected driver for

tri

al. We then modified the form according to their comments,

time constraints, and concerns for safe driving and safety of

pas
App

bs
ar

No

sengers (Shearer 1988). A sample data form is shown as
endix 2.

coll a

ervers collected data from 4 starting point at or near the
k entrance until the bus turned around for the return trip.
data were collected on the return trip, because stops were

12


NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU

AG 41. NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU BY MLEPOST, 1389

9 .
at
|
ar oe
| _
4 .
4y . oon
3 . . . + we
|
2, ore . . - we
1) 8 wee tee seme wemeeme +t

0 oT serat eS
0.0 10.0 200 300 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 800 90.0

NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU

FIG. 42, NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION PER MILEPOST, 1990

1+ oe ae . we

0 oo 96-6 A SRR ae
0.0 5.0 ‘00 180 200 2500 30.0 350 40.0 45.0 50.0 $6,060,0 65,0 70.0 750 800 85.0

MILEPOST

68


Table 14. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation of
caribou, September, 1988

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
0 535 87.0% other animals
1 18 2.9% 22.5%
2 17 2.8% 21.3%
3 5 0.8% 6.3%
4 5 0.8% 6.3%
5 4 0.7% 5.0%
6 6 1.0% . 7.5%
7 8 1.3% 10.0%
8 5 0.8% 6.3%
9 1 0.2% 1.3%
10 2 0.3% 2.5%
14 1 0.2% 1.3%
12 41 0.2% 1.3%
13 1 0.2% 1.3%
14 2 0.3% 2.5%
15 1 0.2% 1.3%
16 1 0.2% 1.3%
21 1 0.2% 1.3%
40 1 0.2% 1.3%

TOTAL 615 100.0% 100.0%


Three groups of >100 caribou were reported in 1989 (and could
possibly have been the same group reported py different

drivers) (Fig. Abser rge groups in 1990 and 1991 was
apparently due to fewer bus beyond milepost 66 (see

page 38) where large groups of are generally located.

Table 12. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation of
caribou, July, 1988.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
ti) 1171 53.6% other animals
1 672 30.8% 66.4%
2 169 7.7% 16.7%
3 58 2.7% 5.7%
4 44 2.0% 4.3%
5 19 0.9% 1.9%
6 13 0.6% 1.3%
7 5 0.2% 0.5%
8 4 0.2% 0.4%
9 2 0.1% 0.2%
10 4 0.2% 0.4%
1 4 0.2% 0.4%
12 1 0.0% 0.1%
13 1 0.0% 0.1%
14 2 0.1% 0.2%
15 2 0.1% 0.2%
17 1 0.0% 0.1%
18 1 0.0% 0.1%
24 1 0.0% 0.1%
35 1 0.0% 0.1%
40 2 0.1% 0.2%
42 1 0.0% 0.1%
45 1 0.0% 0.1%
60 1 0.0% 0.1%
70 2 0.1% 0.2%
100 1 0.0% 0.1%
TOTAL 2183 100.0% 100.0%

2183-1171=1012 stops to observe Caribou during July, 1988.

46


Table 17. Group size, number and percentage of stops,
for observation of caribou, July, 1989.

JULY
Group Number of % % Observations by
Size Stops Stops Group Size
te) 699 62.9 other animals
1 240 21.6 58.1
2 68 6.1 16.5
3 30 2.7 7.3
4 28 2.5 6.8
5 23 2.1 5.6
6 1 0.1 0.2
7 9 0.8 2.2
8 3 0.3 0.7
9 1 O.1 0.2
10 2 0.2 0.5
11 1 0.1 0.2
12 1 0.2 0.2
13 1 0.1 0.2
15 2 0.1 0.5
16 1 O.1 0.2
18 1 o.1 0.2
25 1 O.1 0.2
Totals 1112 100 99.8

1112-699=413 stops to observe caribou during July, 1989.

$4


Table 21. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, June, 1990.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE

0 413 67.8% other animals

1 52 8.5% 27%

2 48 7.9% 24%

3 21 3.4% W%

4 15 2.5% 8%

5 20 3.3% 10%

6 13 2.1% T%

7 7 1.1% 4%

8 8 1.3% 4%

9 4 0.7% 2%

10 5 0.8% 3%

15 3 0.5% 2%
TOTAL 609 100.0% 100%

Table 22. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, July, 1990.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE

0 383 73.0% other animals

1 84 16.0% 59%

2 30 5.7% 21%

3 10 1.9% 7%

4 8 1.5% 6%

5 4 0.8% 3%

6 1 0.2% 1%

7 3 0.6% 2%

9 2 0.4% 1%
TOTAL 525 100.0% 100%

wo
ow


FIG, 30 A. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY HOUR OF BUS

DEPARTURE, 1990

oct

o0zt

OOLL

0001

_ - — — |
o ~ a “ c °

NOILLVAYSSEO 43d NOBINVS 40 Y3SWNN NVAW

HOUR
FIG. 31. NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY HOUR OF THE DAY, 1991.

ee
3s 8
a =

2
2
101

e cs es © 8» © se ©

3S 8s 8 &® 8&8 F 8

NOILVAYASEO 43d NOBINVS JO HABWNN

400 600 800 4000 «= 1200. 1400-1600 1800-2000
HOUR

200



Table 3. Number of observation trips by drivers and bus type each year,
Concluded.

1i 44 51 68 73

12 47 71 45

13 *

14 *

15 52

16 18
17 36
Total

Drivers 6 6 5 4 ie) 4 2 2

Total

Trips 244 294 216 266 i} 245 54 156

Total

Season 538* 482 245 210

TOTAL NPS
BUS TRIPS 2943 1493 3419 2009 +k ** xk **
* Includes two drivers from Camp Denali (2 and 8 trips respectively).

**Totals were not completed.

20


o

e

FIG. 19. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER MILEPOST PER BUS TRIP, JUNE, 1989

B
ej
$ +
oj
9 i
g?T
a
=
2
2
2 |
= |
ind
=
1
° re eete nn H% aaais rhe beer A
- = 2s 8&5 8 | $5 85 BRN SE B
MILEPOST
FIG. 20, MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER MILEPOST PER BUS TRIP, JULY, 1989
4
3
>
°
2
z
&
6
x |
oC. |
G2 7
ao if
=
5
=
2
<<
fat
=
1
cy)

"1

16
26
66 |

© 5 2@ 5 ®
=o ¥ fF 8 8

MILEPOST

61
ral
76
a1
86

a

21



Caribou calves were observed occasionally from milepost 0-35
(Figs. 40-43). They were observed most frequently from mileposts
40-70, especially in 1988 and 1989. Few caribou calves were
observed at mileposts 70-87 in 1988 and 1989. Buses with
observers did not travel past milepost 66 during 1990 and 1991.

IG 40, NUMBER OF YOUNG PER OBSERVATION, BY MLEPOST, 1983

We .
a .
=
<
$i
a2
a
oO
8
C |
oi
ot
rs
2:
3
>
S10 .
ra
o
¥ .
=
5
25 eee
. sees .
oe 4 ee eeee eee oe

° . . Pr ee
|

0.0 &0 10.0 180 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40,0 45.0 50.0 55.0 60.0 66.0 70.0 75.0 80.0 85.0

MILEPOST



€ *peoy aaraseig pue yIeg [euoTjeN TLeuad ay Jo dew "|, ean8ty

sw 9 € O €

Asepunog nf
wed / /

OAJBSald
pue
Jeg [eUONeEN yeUaq

peoy ed

Ps eylUe4OL 5

Y sida ysey

Tr

[OH Wed
0



FIG, 44. NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY BUS START TIME, 1988

7 °
|
25 - .
Qa,
2
S|
S
wo:
6 15 -
4
a 1
2 |
2 aa .
| .
6: see .
: soe s cee eG
. Sw oe oe 6 ee oe om oe we
o+ : EP Sap nO oD EDS SD Oe anne aD VCD CEE Scan EEEED onEES
0 200 +400 «= 600s B00. 1000S 1200» 1400S 1600» 1800» 2000
HOUR OF THE DAY
FIG. 45. NUMBER OF YOUNG PER OBSERVATION BY START TIME, 1989
10
9: .
Br
7: .
S 6: oe
a |
w
a
Qs. .
g
54 we oe
sd
3 oe . oe .
2- oe oT . . oe oo
1- om oe oe oe .
a en Loe eee OS SS eo
CY) 200 400 600 8001000 «1200 1400—s« 16001800



FIG. 43. NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU PER CBSERVATION BY MILEPOST, 1991

10 -

NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU
ow
4

1: . wo 8 tome oe

O - --~- TRAE. +0 — 60a SERS 6-80

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0
MILEPOST

The number of carihou calves per observation by hour the bus left
for the day determined if the number of animals observed changed
through the day (Figs. 44-47). A few observations of young were
made when buses left from 0500 to 0800 hours in 1988, and 1989
(Figs. 44 and 45). The only time young were observed in 1990 was
when buses left from 0500 to 0800 hours. Equal numbers of calves
were observed in morning and afternoon during 1991 when few young
caribou appeared in the sample.

69


The percentage of total caribou that were calves changed by month
and year (Fig. 48). The greatest percentage for any month was
for July 1988 when approximately 10% of all caribou observed were
young. No calves were observed during months of May 1990 and
1991, July 1991, and September 1990 and 1991.

Fig. 48. % TOTAL CARIBOU OBSERVED THAT WERE YOUNG, BY MONTH AND YEAR

10 |

©

% YOUNG
a om ~
ppt
RRR, SEE

Both adult and young caribou were recorded at elevations from
about 2200 feet (670 m) to the maximum elevation of 4300 feet
(1311 m) (Figs. 49 and 50). The largest groups of both adult and
young caribou occurred above 3000 feet (914 m) elevation.

~
to




N2219

June 18, 1991

Memorandum

To: Dale Taylor
From: Jeff Keay

Subject: Denali Road Survey

Enclosed is a copy of the “new” observation form. As you can see there are no real
changes. We are not asking for new behavioral information either. We had 4 tour
drivers at one time but 2 quit. Pat is working with Dominic to get 2 to 3 more.

Thanks for your advise.

y => ra <) L>
2 Sia Kata Gar Are Git on Ceneo “Apre,

Fig. 10. Letter from tenali

i
1
]
|
|


Table 4. Number of trips measured by hour and month for 1988.

HOUR MONTH
JULY AUGUST SEPT TOTAL
500 17 14 4 35
600 73 66 6 145
700 23 39 14 76
800 2 3 16 21
900 7 4 7 18
1000 9 6 241
1100 15 7 7 29
1200 21 18 2 41
1300 5 1 0 6
1400 13 10 7 30
1500 34 28 7 63
1600 9 7 1 27
1700 0 ti) 0 0
1800 0 0 0 0
1900 6 14 1 21
2000 1 0 0 1
TOTAL 232 230 78 540



Driver Year Year Year Year
1988 1989 1990 1991

Shuttle Tour Shuttle Tour Shuttle Tour Shuttle Tour

1 53 66

2 44 35

3 42 56

4 48 10

5 32 49

6 25

7 43

8 52 59

9 52

10 56 85 82 83

19



CARIBOU

Caribou migrate to various habitats for wintering, calving (late
May to early June), summer grazing, and rutting (September and
October), therefore, caribou movements relative to the road have
an impact on visitor observations (NPS 1989). Migration is
described as follows: “Caribou use the prime calving and post-
calving area west of the town of Cantwell from about May 1
through July 20. After calving, the herd moves to the north side
of the Alaska Range, passing through the Polychrome Flats area as
iy as Juli Herd movements follow the traditional migration
route west and north to summer and winter ranges. When the herd
calves north of the Alaska Range, most cows travel to the
Cantwell area by approximately the first week in June and migrate
back to the north form early to mid July” (NPS 1989).

Drivers made more stops for caribou than for other animals (Fig.
13 and Tables 12-29). Depending upon the month, caribou made up
from 14% to over 45% of all stops for observation. Greatest

variability was during September. An stops to view caribou

made up between 35° and 40% of all stops (Fig. 13).

FIG. 13. Percentage of stops for caribou, Dall’s sheep, grizzly bears,
moose, and wolves that were for caribou during four years.

CARIBOU (mss E789!

50 ~ ‘os0 ast
asi
40 -
38

30

25 -

20 -

‘% OF ALL OBSERVATIONS

MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER YEAR TOTAL
MONTH

30


NPS personnel at the Savage Creek Check Station record traffic
counts. They keep a record of each vehicle and type that enters
the park. Traffic counts included the number of tour buses,
shuttle buses, NPS vehicles, number of private vehicles,
including those going to Kantishna lodges, and the number of
photographers. Total of all daily traffic was summed and is shown
in Figs. 7 and 8 for 1988 and 1989,

Fig. 7. Total daily traffic for 1988.

1988
OQ 160
i 140 + .
4 T
f& 120 + Fo eG ne
iid i CASA ?
F 100 + LPR, & Raheem 2 |
a 80 “. F
< 69 é
a
Zz 40 ! 4
& 20+
e 0+— + ad
147 157 167 177 187 197 207 217 227 237 247 257

JULIAN DATE

The NPS limits the number of private vehicles on the park road
until near the close of the season in mid-September. The last
week-end before closure of the road for winter, the NPS opens the
road to persons driving private vehicles who have won the right
to do so through a lottery system. The number of private
vehicles increases for this limited time from approximately 40
Per day to @pproximately 180 per day (Fig. 9).



ae. |

oo. o 4 @
nn

NUMBER OF YOUNG PER OBSERVATION
. o

FIG 46. NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY BUS START TINE, 1990

oe
owe
~ __22 2
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

HOUR

10

NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU
ow

FIG. 47, NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY BUS START TIME, 1991

© oe oe woe .

a» eee 00 0 000 000 00 00 08
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
HOUR

71


Table 19. Group size, number and percentage of stops,
for observation of caribou, September, 1383

SEPTEMBER

Group Number of ry § Observations by
Size Stops Stops Group Size
C) 298 67 other animals
1 49 ql 33.3

2 39 8.8 26.5

3 24 5.4 16.3

4 16 3.6 10.9

5 10 2.2 6.8

6 a o.2 2.7

7 4 0.9 2.7

8 0 0 0

9 1 0.2 0.7

10 Co) ° 0

ul 0 ° °

12 ° ° °

13 ° ° °

14 0 0) °

15 1 0.2 0.7

16 ° 6 9

17 CY) ° °

18 1 0.2 0.7

19 ° ° °

20 ° cs) 0

22 0 ° °

22 ° ° °

23 0) ° °

24 1 0.2 0.7
Totals 445 99.9 190.0

445~298=147 stops were made to observe caribou during September, 1989.



Traffic Levels.

The NPS established traffic levels for the road in 1936 in the
General Management Plan (GMP) (NPS 1986). The philosophy of the
GMP is to allow as many people as possible to see Alaskan
wildlife in their natura! habitat. The objective of the GMP is
to increase visitor use of the bus systems and reduce private
vehicles on the road. Buses can carry up to 50 people compared
to 4-6 in the average private vehicle. Animals are more visible
from buses because people sit higher off the ground and can
easily see over vegetation along the road edge. Singer and
Beattie (1986) demonstrated activities along the park road
associated with the private vehicle, such as stopping at will,
making noise getting in and out of a car, and approaching animals
on foot, cause the greatest disturbances to wildlife. In
contrast, visitors riding buses are not allowed to leave vehicles
in areas of critical wildlife habitat

According to the GMP, traffic levels were to be reduced in three
stages (NPS 1986). During stage one, total bus traffic was to be
held to the 1984 monthly averages plus 15% allowing bus service
to fluctuate with daily visitor demand. Private vehicle traffic
meanwhile, was to be reduced by making all the interior
campgrounds accessible only by shuttle bus. During stage two,
bus traffic was to be held to 1984 annual levels plus 15%. NPS
travel was to be reduced. During stage three, after total
traffic ic was to be allowed to
evel = did not unacceptably affect wildlife

o Jou, Pp. =i. Comparison of data for 1984, the
proposed full implementation of the GMP, and recorded levels for
1988 and 1989 show objectives, except NPS vehicles, were achieved
(Table 2).

lovols wore reduced



Table 9. Number of records of each species by year-

1988 1989 1990 1991
Species Records Records Records Records Total
Caribou 2085 1928 730 1060 5803
Dall’s Sheep 1488 1303 739 734 4264
Grizzly Bear 936 881 311 353 2481
Moose 466 537 243 290 1536
Wolf 63 64 41 23 191
Fox 32 55 56 70 213
Beaver ll te) 1 1 13
Wolverine Oo ie) oOo - ie) le)
Golden Eagle 8 2 1 0 11
Marmot 1 1 1 0 3
Snowshoe Hare ie} ie} ie} ie) is]
Porcupine 6 3 3 ie} 12
Canada Goose 1 1 (0) ie) 2
Falcon ie) 2 0 ie} 2
Other 3 3 4 1 11
TOTAL RECORDS -Year 5100 4880 2129 2532 14641

4,04. total in the data base. These were
collected for 14+ species over the 4 years (Table 9). Over 99%
of the records are for caribou, Dall’s sheep, grizzly bears,
moose, and wolves. The fox (Vulpes vulpes), and other animals,
were recorded sporadically, and, with the exception of the fox,
in few numbers, therefore, further analysis of these data is not
warranted. The data illustrate information requested on the data

28


Table 28. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, August, 1991.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
0 377 52.1% other animals
123 17.0% 35.4%
2 70 9.7% 20.2%
3 57 7.9% 16.4%
4 26 3.6% 7.5%
5 18 2.5% 5.2%
6 16 2.2% 4.6%
7 10 1.4% 2.9%
8 9 1.2% 2.6%
9 2 0.3% 0.6%
10 4 0.6% 1.2%
an 2 0.3% 0.6%
12 5 0.7% 1.4%
13 1 0.1% 0.3%
14 1 0.1% 0.3%
20 1 0.1% 0.3%
24 1 0.1% 0.3%
25 1 0.1% 0.3%
TOTAL 724 100.0% 100.0%

Table 29. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, September, 1991.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
0 85 78.7% other animals
41 10 9.3% 43.5%
2 2 1.9% 8.7%
3 4 3.7% 17.4%
4 2 1.9% 8.7%
5 2 1.9% 8.7%
7 2 1.9% 8.7%
12 1 0.9% 4.3%
TOTAL 108 100.0% 100.0%

63


FIG. 36. NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE, 1888

30 5 .
25 .
3
2 20
&
<
o
ro)
5
3 15
S
rf
6
ia
a
g 10 .
= |
4 .
5+ ° “ . .
i . .
. « we
Perera ary ety ee ee
u seaes 0.0 60 tae Sean ee mneaneesn oe oe me oe 6 8 8
0)
135 145=«i«155—=«s165—SA7S:—Ss* 18S 195-205-215 225 235 245 285
JULIAN DATE
FIG. 37. NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE, 1989
10 -
9
t .
|
gt
2
8 7 . .
x
q
oO 6: . .
Q
2°
Oo §- .
S
woo
5 4: Lowes
fo;
uo
z 3! oe ee ee . .
2
2- o ow oe . wm oof oF
1 a TS oe
o-
495 145—«*15HSCNSS:SC7S: 185195205 215-225 235245255
JULIAN DATE
65


NUMBER OF YOUNG

no

F1G.38, NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU AND JULIAN DATE OF OBSERVATION, 1990

145° «1551650175185 195205215 225235245 285,
JULIAN DATE

NUMBER OF YOUNG

0 see coe ee

135

FIG. 39, NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE, 1991

wre 6 oo eee . .

+ eee eset -eetee oe
145004155165 175 185 195 205 215 226 235 245 255
JULIAN DATE

06



Table 6. Number of trips measured by hour and month for 1990.

HOUR MONTH
MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER TOTAL
500 1 7 7 7 1 23
600 9 37 30 44 5 125
700 5 16 12 8 10 51
800 0 0 0 1 1 2
900 1 1 0 41 1 4
100 0 Q i) Li} 0 0
1100 0 0 0 0 0 0
1200 0 0 0 ) 0 0
1300 0 0 ) 0 2 2
1400 0 1 4 2 2 9
1500 1 11 27 15 2 56
1600 0 0 0 0 ) 0
1700 0 0 0 0 0 0
1800 0 0 0 0 0 0
1900 ty) ) tv) 0 0 0
2000 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 17 73 80 78 24 272

ol anne



DISTANCE CATEGORY

DISTANCE CATEGORY

10

1

10 -

+.

FIG. §2. DISTANCE CATEGORY OF EACH CARIBOU OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE , 1988

ee

1 e000 e090 200 eeewenensonnees seseneraarsonenenesnsenee omen oe 40 +

rey

100 eeee eacenene eneeeonenenenennees arsecenete wen ere aoe + +

20 oem cee oe we oe ca oe oe .

OO ceeesasees eneee eonese coneaesseees seseenaen 40 +

ee er ee ey .

dress eroese eraee oe eee meee eee © .

© ereeneoenennenens one eeneee sete aneceeseneene © 6

+ dessee 0 0 see ae ee tie Me oe 8
ss oe Sune ss sn vsmnne snes
! Lesnue te sm an etme ees
| se seuaneccee mmm ou sam ese 6
|
35 145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215 225 235 245 256
JULIAN DATE
FIG. 53. DISTANCE CATEGORY OF EACH CARIBOU OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE,1989
- wu “
ao so esas sae cesses 4b tet some enemmomenee  semes 6
= ae ss te 6 6866866 san ssn ns
: cad oo
! ebeeseseenes © Gennes O80 oO eOee tee 08 + 000 0 tte ceeneees Gets o Oe e =o ceneeee ¢
wee we me 6 cette me mee
conus 08 seen ee Sewe eme ster meme ow wm mee
see we om 6 cee wt et
+ ee wows ee oe o tow - eee
ce sone eec see see teams 8 oe ome ten ewme me om
: + coe cee 6 8 ee 8 8 cme we eo
! OO MSS S POS © © seeerererre ° Oo Oe CO eoere te woe
2- OO FOO e Oe o te ee © 0 Memes oF . °
«. rr re a
ooo ono 8 cme cee ce mee eee eee
135 145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215 225 235 245 | 255

JULIAN DATE
76


Fig. 2. Elevations (feet) at mileposts on the Denali park road.

4500 +
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000

1500

FEET ABOVE SEA LEVE

1000 ~

tv) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
MILEPOST

Visitor Season.

Weather determines length of the visitor season. The park road
opens as soon as NSP removes the snow and completes maintenance,
usually the latter part of May. Snowfall determines road
closure, usually about mid-September.

Weather data, recorded at Park Headquarters, mile 3.42, was
summarized for 1989 and compared to the long term record. Weather
records were not available for higher elevations along the road
where wind chills and more severe weather would be expected
within the park.

Maximum temperatures occurred during the first week of July when
a temperature of 81°F(27.2°C) was recorded (Fig.3). A’maximum
daily temperature of 41°F (5°C) occurred during mid-September.

s)


Table 1. Mileposts and selected landmarks along the Denali Park Road.

MILEPOST LANDMARK

0.00 Park Entrance

2.10 Ascending Grade

3.31 Rock Creek Bridge

3.42 Denali Headquarters
14.80 Savage River Bridge
22.77 Sanctuary River Bridge
30.36 Gate
31.28 Teklanika River Bridge
34.07 Igloo Creek Ranger Station
39.12 Sable Pass
43.35 East Fork Toklat River Bridge
45.93 Polychrome Pass
53.15 Toklat River Bridge
61.87 Summit Stony Hill
66.03 Eielson Visitor Center
86.70 Wonder Lake Campground
92.50 Kantishna

The first 14.8 miles of the road are paved and the remainder, @
gravel surface. The road is open without permit to the general
public to milepost 12.8 allowing access to clustered park
cilities including employee housing and maintenance buildings.
rom milepost 12.8 to the end, the road is restricted to a fixed
number of private vehicles, tour and shuttle buses, and National
Park Service (NPS) vehicles to reduce impact on wildlife found
along the road. For a detailed discussion of the park road, see
Brown (1991), NPS (1988), NPS (1979), NPS (1994), and (Heacox
1986).

Elevation varies from approximately 1,700 ft (518 m) near the
park entrance to a maximum level of 4,300 ft (1311 mjat milepost
é0. There is considerable variation in elevation along the park
road as illustrated in Figure 2.

Vegetation maps are being developed for DENA, but they were not
available for this study.


TOTAL DAILY TRAFFIC

DAILY PRIVATE VEHICLES

Fig.

8. Total daily traffic for 1989.

1989

e
~ o
oo ¢ °
PAG .
oe Op o%
OW oly
7
eo

0 pr
4147 157 167 177 187 197 207 217 227 237 247 257
JULIAN DATE
Fig. 9. Number of private vehicles allowed access to the Denali
Park Road on a daily basis, 1989.
1989
250 -
! o
200 +
i
150 + .. a .
oo! o
DA e * ee? -
o rw Cooke, oe o e
100 ate 2 oem ewe “ye AX a
to % o% ge ° ° o ay
oo o «@
. °
50 +
Q EET
447. 187 167 177 187 197 207 217 227 237 247 257

JULIAN DATE

we



MINIMUM TEMPERATURE

MINIMUM TEMPERATURE

Fig. 4. Minimum temperature (°F) and date of occurrence, 1989.

60
| ° of °
50 +. ° o° “8 ° 3h. * “, *
40 ®, cob? ofete % ° “%, ° oe o
hea toe ey ° .s oe
30 °° % o fy
20 + °
10
(Ce eee : -
447 157 167 177 187 197 207 217 227 237 247 257
JULIAN DATE
Fig. 4a. Mean minimum temperature (°F) May through September,
1989 and long term (1925-1993).
48
38;
28 4 |-8- 1989 |
| Min |
18 ~ |—s-Long |
: Term =
8 a
-2 -
§ 6 7 8 9


Hour of bus departure was plotted against distance category at
which caribou were observed (Figs. 56-59). Caribou were observed
as frequently in various distance categories by late afternoon
departures as in early morning departures.

FIG. 56 DISTANCE CATEGORY OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS BY HOUR OF BUS
DEPARTURE, 1988

14e cow oe 00 00 ce 0 mw 6 oe
+ some ee te mee .
12¢ fe wer oe 00 ce oe oe we 0 cme oe .
: se cw ee 6s oe oe we eee es .
z 0 ¢ ee ee cee 6 08 oe oe 6 cm oo
8 oo ee woe oe wee
E ge cowe o eee oe mee
i) . oe 08 of oo ee oe oe ee eo °
x oe ry er ry .
Base 6 00 eee oo oe oe ow .
. oe oe oe eo oe we .
26 ee eS we oe
. ee ee .
Q ~——-—___--0 6 4000 009000 tt tts
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

HOUR

~
@


FIG. 60. PER CENT OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS BY DISTANCE CATEGORY, 1988

30% ~

i
25% |

% DISTANCE CATEGORY
2 2 #
aed —_

DISTANCE CATEGORY

FIG, 61, PER CENT OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS BY DISTANCE CATEGORY, 1989
Wr:

25% +

Fry
z

% PISTANCE CATE:
2

All | ln mn i

3 4

DISTANCE CATEGORIES

81


The number of bus trips measured varied between years and months,
depending upon the opening and closure of the season (Tables 4-
7). Full months of observation, June, July, and August, varied
from 232 trips, in July 1988, to 57 trips in June 1991. Fewer
trips were made during May at the opening of the season and
during September before the season closed. The majority of the
puses left for the day at 0600 and 0700 hrs (Tables 4-7).
Afternoon departures during the 1500 hr approximated the number
of departures at the 700 hr (Tables 4-7). Buses left at various
other times as shown in Tables 4-7 and Fig. 11 for 1988 and Fig.
12 for 1989.

Fig. 11. Time and date observation buses departed, 1988.

1988
2000 + .
68 8 0 oe tate oo meee oe
1800
a
w 1600 ene oe © Oe Hee ee Cee ee ete Oe
& eee erect Secee * tuAttees® + O* coe conned conceeriee 9
2 1400 eS
a ° oe ° °
a
4s 1200 Bo gee He wr THe WM Hoe 6 %e
2 rey
g 1000 Pe a a a SS
i= i . . . of ° ha thd
S$ 800 - . . ao co Bh ost ee oo
ra eM ee a coat cere an crn Sec cennne es vod eontede “e'e “S
@ 600 - soogongye g.gaseneealet aathAd S8ttt? Satthtes StPtteceeetset °
co) ° ° ° ° « oe te te
wu ow wee fae Me ow wee Moe wt fae
2 400 °
=
200 -
Oe = ae - fe tt
147.0187) 467) 177,—'—s487 197) 207247 227237 247287

JULIAN DATE

21



A SYSTEM FOR MONITORING IMPACT OF DENALI NATIONAL PARK ROAD

TRAFFIC ON WILDLIFE

by

Dale L. Taylor

U.S. Geological Survey

Biological Resources Division

Kenneth D. Vogt

U.S. Geological Survey
Biological Resources Division
and

Janet Warburton

National Park Service

Alaska Regional Office

slant See ni

United States Geological Survey
Biological Resources Division
Alaska Biological Science Center
: 10 11 Bast Tudor Road
a : EE Anchorage, Alaska 99503

Biological Sciences Report: USGS/BRD/BSR-1997-0001

QH

540

u64

no.
1997-01



25% FIG. 62. PER CENT OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS BY DISTANCE CATEGORY, 1990

20%

15% -

10% 7

% DISTANCE CATEGORY

5%

ne

0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DISTANCE CATEGORIES

FIG. 63, PER CENT OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS BY DISTANCE CATEGORY, 1991
35% +

2
#

CATEGORY
ad he
s xs

5% +

DISTANCE

%
g

5% ~

Bl.
2

oe

DISTANCE CATEGORY


NUMBER OF CARIBOU

181

16)

0

140

120 +

100 +

Oo =

60

20

«oft settles oc en sc Se aD tte dn hm a Ben ate +

{
40 +
|

13:

FiG, 27. NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE, 1991.

§ 145 185 165 175 185 195 205 215 225 235 245 255
JULIAN DATE

MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION

FIG, 27A. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY MONTH, 1991



Previous park road studies include work by Tracy in 1973 and 1974
(Tracy 1977), Singer and Beattie in 1982 and 1983 (Singer and
Beattie 1986), and Looney (1992). Looney (1992) reported on
observations recorded in 1980-1984, 1987, 1989, and 1990. These
studies differed in that intensive work was done by a single
observer, and/or observers recording observations both going into
the park and on the return trip.

The Bus Systems

Two bus systems operate within DENA: (i) The DENA Shuttle Bus
System, and (2) the Tour Bus System. The systems have totally
different objectives and, therefore, were recorded separately. In
addition to the two park bus systems, private lodges operate
during the summer season near Kantishna. Guests arrive via lodge
vehicles driven on the park road, via plane to Kantishna, or on
shuttle buses. An example is Camp Denali Lodge, where passengers
board a small bus near park headquarters for a leisurely drive to
Camp Denali at the end of the park road. The drive is billed as
a wildlife tour and is part of the package offered by the Lodge.
Time is taken to search for, and observe, wildlife during the
trip. Two Camp Denali drivers participated in this study during
1986 as a part of this study. Their results will be reported ina
separate paper.

The two NPS sponsored bus systems are:

DENA SHUTTLE BUS SYSTEM. In 1973, the NPS instituted a
mandatory system of free shuttle buses (Singer and Beattie 1986).
The rented school buses function as a scheduled transportation
system from point to point along the park road. Stops are made
to view wildlife, to drop off, or to pickup passengers who may
nave been hiking, or who wish to hike, take photographs or to
access a campground. Buses are operated from Memorial Day until
the end of the season, about September 15, depending upon weather
conditions. Round trips are driven each day, often from Riley
Creek to Elision Visitor Center, or Wonder Lake (Fig. 1). The
daily number of trips is shown in Fig 5.

10


Table 2. Traffic levels in 1984, at proposed full implementation
of the traffic plan, and as recorded in 1988 and 1989.

VEHICLE 1984* FULL* 1988 1989
TYPE

Tour and Shuttle Buses 4,245 5,094 4,436 5,428
Private Vehicles 6,662 3,664 3,516 4,454
NPS Vehicies 1,754 1,754 1,412 1,861
Total 12,661 10,512 9,364 11,743

*Denali National Park General Management Plan

(NPS 1986)

METHODS

After examining a large number of parameters, specific ones were
chosen to use in monitoring disturbance to park wildlife by
vehicle traffic. Bus drivers assisted in developing data forms
and were trained in use of a rangefinder for measuring distance.
A system was tested where drivers made observations as they drove
visitors over the park road at various times of the day, during
various weather and road conditions, and driving buses
representing the types of transportation used in the park.

This report presents results from driver observations. Different
data types and summaries are presented for consideration by park
management. We did not measure scenic values, aesthetics, impact
of road dust, and other factors that could contribute to visitor
satisfaction. Harrison (1975) and Singer and Beattie (1986
surveyed park visitor attitudes in 1972-1973 when the system was
established, and after it had been in effect for 10 years.
Satrisen 1975. found the vast majority of people who visited the
pa approved cf the transportation policy. Residents of Alaska
gave a lower approval rating. Singer and Beattie (1986) found
approval for the NPS mandatory transportation system increased
175 from i972 surveys compared to 1982, and further increased 43
from 1973 to 1983 surveys.



Table 18. Group size, number and percentage of stops,

for observation of caribou, August, 1989.

AUGUST
Group Number of % % Observations by
Size Stops Stops Group Size
0 646 55.8 other animals
1 234 20.2 45.8
2 104 9.0 20.4
3 63 5.4 12.3
4 41 3.5 8.0
5 14 1.2 2.7
6 13 1.1 2.5
7 7 0.6 1.4
8 4 0.3 0.8
9 7 0.6 1.4
10 3 0.3 0.6
il 2 0.2 0.4
12 2 0.2 0.4
13 4 0.3 0.8
14 1 0.1 0.2
15 1 O.1 0.2
20 3 0.3 0.6
26 1 0.21 0.2
30 1 0.1 0.2
40 2 0.2 0.4
66 1 oO.1 0.2
Totals 1157 100 99.5

1157-646= 511 stops to observe caribou during August, 1989.

$5

NOON ee ee ek a

Poe NNN


FIG. 23. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER MILEPOST PER BUS TRIP, 1989
4.00 -—

3.00

2.00 —

MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU

MILEPOST

The number of caribou in each observation was plotted against
date of observation to determine 1: the number or frequency ©
2 season (Figs 4 7) With ¢

r ons changed during the



DISTANCE CATEGORY

DISTANCE CATEGORY

FIG. 67. DISTANCE CATEGORY OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS BY HOUR OF BUS
DEPARTURE, 1989

4: oa em ae es 06 fae wee emo
3: commerce ¢ oe wwe
ww: er rr
ui oo meee oe we o 40 ee ew mo
10 + ome ¢ 0 6 0 oe ae +
9- came © 06 00 ow
8s eceme +e oe 08 we
rt see es ce
al ivi an
5: came ef 6 oe oo 8 awe
4 oo me we oF coe
3° wo ame oe oe woos
2: seme oe & . oom
1- owe ee .
Ce ae eas . +24
r) 200 400 600 800 1000 ©«1200-«-«1400«S 1600-1800
HOUR
FIG. $8. DISTANCE CATEGORIES OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS BY HOUR OF THE DAY,
1990
14 commas ee oo
13 om ow ow
12 - a w oom
" co emaw 6 6 “ce
10- wom ° o-
a: oo oe ° +
a: ome . -
7 ome ~
6 - °
5 ome o
4: wee oe -
3° we aoe
2 ome -
1 acne oo
O° en _
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800"
HOUR

~)

©



Table 8 . Number of buses that traveled, by month and year, to specific
location before turning around for the return trip.

MONTH YEAR TOTAL TOKLAT STONY HILL WONDER LAKE EIELSON PLOYCHORME TEK
JULY 88 232 83 s9 43 46 1 0
AUGUST 88 230 94 47 55 31 3 te)
SEPTEMBER 88 78 21 18 26 12 4 0
TOTAL 540 198 121 124 89 8 0
MAY 89 32 uM 0 1 0 0 0
JUNE 89 158 88 23 25 22 0 0
JULY 89 149 45 43 40 21 0 0
AUGUST 89 140 69 24 32 15 0 0
SEPTEMBER 89 54 29 12 1 2 0 0
TOTAL 533 262 102 109 60 0 QO
MAY 91 16 14 0 ie) le) 0 2
JUNE 91 57 20 3 0 5 QO 1
JULY 91 97 32 26 ie) 39 0 0
AUGUST 91 83 29 29 i?) 25 0 0
SEPTEMBER 91 18 13 4 0 1 0 0
TOTAL 271 108 oe Q 79 Qo 3



The number of caribou per observation changed little during the
hours measured(Figs. 28-31). Too few observations of groups =>40
animals were made to determine presence by hour of the day.

Fig. 28. Number of caribou per observation by hour of the day, 1988.
200 -

180 -

FA

g

ee ieee

8

NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION
3

0 -
60 - .
40 = oe . .
.
20+ ;°
3 Pec ts at
(Bh
oO 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
HOUR,

43



Table 7. Number of observation trips measured by hour and month, 1991.

HOUR MONTH
MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER TOTAL

500 0 12 9 19 v) 40
600 6 31 35 29 4 105
700 4 5 20 9 8 46
800 4 0 0) 0 2 6
900 1 1 0 0 0 2
1000 0 1 2 0 0 3
1100 0 0 0 0 0 0
1200 0 4 19 "1 0 34
1300 0 2 6 5 1 14
1400 1 0 2 2 3 8
1500 0 1 4 8 0 13
1600 0 0 0 0 0 0
1700 0 0 0 0 0 0
1800 0 0 0 0 0 0
1900 0 0 0 0 t) 0
2000 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 16 57 97 83 18 271

Four locations served as main points for turnaround during

1988,1989, and 1991 (Table 8). These included Toklat (milepost
54), Stoney Hill (milepost 62), Wonder Lake (milepost 87), and
Eielson (milepost 66). Teklanika Rest Stop (milepost 30), an

Polychorme Pass (milepost 46), served as minor points for
turnaround.

nN
oO.


Table 27. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, July, 1991.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
0 496 59.5% other animals
1 152 18.2% 45.1%
2 57 6.8% 16.9%
3 35 4.2% 10.4%
4 16 1.9% 4.7%
5 23 2.8% 6.8%
6 1 1.3% 3.3%
7 12 1.4% 3.6%
8 7 0.8% 2.1%
9 7 0.8% 2.1%
10 2 0.2% 0.6%
1 2 0.2% 0.6%
12 1 0.1% 0.3%
13 1 0.1% 0.3%
14 1 0.1% 0.3%
15 4 0.5% 1.2%
16 2 0.2% 0.6%
20 1 0.1% 0.3%
22 1 0.1% 0.3%
23 1 0.1% 0.3%
40 1 0.1% 0.3%
TOTAL 833 100.0% 100.0%

62


Temperatures at or below freezing occurred each month of the
summer (Fig. 4). The lowest temperature recorded during the
summer months was 19°F (-7.2°C) on September 16. Both maximum
and minimum temperatures were slightly warmer during 1989
compared to the long term record (Figs. 3a & 4a).

Fig. 3. Maximum temperature (°F) and date of occurrence, 1989.

100
|

80 |
¢ .
60 gfe es? ON NOMS “Saete®
si 7
¢ o °
4

0+
20 +
0+ + + + + + + +t +

447 157 167 177 187 197 207 217 227 237 247 257
JULIAN DATE

MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE

Fig. 3a. Mean maximum temperature (°F) May through September,
1989, and long term (1925-1993) .

80 7

60

40 ‘—e— 1989 Max
—8— Long Term_

MAXIMUM
TEMPERATURE

5 6 7 8 9


RESULTS

OBSERVATION TRIPS AND RECORDS OF ANIMAL SIGHTINGS

Equal numbers of shuttle and tour drivers participated in 1988
and 1989 when the project was being developed. Two tour drivers
both of whom had been observers during the previous 2 years, and
two new tour drivers collected data during 1990 and 1991. No
shuttle drivers collected data during 1990, thus data from mile
62-87 are lacking for that year. Two shuttle drivers volunteered
during 1991. As noted above, 2 Camp Denali drivers participated

during 1988. Their results will be reported in another summary.

The total number of shuttle trips varied from 2,943 to 3,419
during the 1988 and 1989 seasons (Table 3). The number of trips,
where records were kept, totaled 244 (82 of all shuttle trips) in
: 2 i é i in 1989.

tf, and 216 (f°

Tota! number of tour bus trips varied from 1493 to 2009 during
the seasons of 1988 and 1989 (Table 3). Tour drivers made
observations on 294 (19.6% of tour trips) of the trips during
1988, and 266 of the 2009 (13.23 of all tour trips) trips during
1989.

The number of observation trips varied between drivers from < 10
to =/< 85 trips during any one season (Table 3). The volumes of
data resulting from the 14 drivers in 1988 resulted in the

dee reduce the number of drivers reporting results to a
more manageable level. Hence, nine drivers were used in 1989.
Results reported are from a total of 1,475 bus trips during the 4
years.

18


FIG, 69. DISTANCE CATEGORY OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS BY HOUR OF BUS

DEPARTURE, 1991

“ wees we ee ew

s! wee ee . .

2 a rr es oo ee ee

n: womice ce ee oe swe

0: we me ee tet et
z 2 ewe ee . .
8 ai wwe we reeryy
al wm we o
2 6 eee . ey . °
Bs om we oe oe mee
° 4 we ene ee 6 oo 8 ©

3 ren . ee ee

2. wee ee . ow ee

1: ome ow .

0 re

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

HOUR

The percentage of observations by distance category shows a
remarkable similarity from year to year (Figs.60-63).
Percentages of observations within categories 0-10,i.e., at 10m
intervals to 100 m changed less than 1% between years.
Observations within category 11-13, i.e., 100-200; 200-300; 300-
400 m were within 5% between years. Category 14 showed a 10%
change from 1990 to 1991, the greatest change of any category.
These data suggest a relative stability of where caribou occur
along the Denali road throughout the season.



Table 16. Group size, number and percentage of stops,

for observation of caribou, June, 1989.

JUNE
Group Number of 8 % Observations by
Size Stops Stops Group Size
t) 1092 59.7 other animals
1 145 7.9 19.7
2 120 6.6 16.3
3 103 5.6 14.0
4 71 3.9 9.7
5 58 3.2 7.9
6 47 2.6 6.4
7 53 2.9 7.2
8 39 2.1 5.3
9 18 1.0 2.5
10 9 0.5 1.2
11 9 0.5 1.2
12 16 0.9 2.2
13 4 0.2 0.5
14 5 0.3 0.7
15 2 0.1 0.3
16 5 0.3 0.7
17 3 0.2 0.4
18 5 0.3 0.7
20 2 0.1 0.3
22 1 0.1 0.3
23 1 0.2 O.1
24 2 0.1 0.3
25 2 0.2 0.3
28 1 0.1 O.1
30 1 0.1 O.1
36 3 0.2 0.4
49 1 o.1 O.1
50 1 0.2 O.1
60 2 0.1 0.3
75 1 0.1 oO.
80 1 0.1 O.1
81 1 0.1 oO.
104 1 0.2 O.1
150 1 O.1 O.1
200 2 o.2 0.3
Totals 1828 100 100.0

1828-1092=736 stops were made to observe caribou during June, 1989.

$3



DISTANCE CATEGORY

DISTANCE CATEGORY

FIG. 64. DISTANCE CATEGORY OF EACH CARBIOU OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE, 1990

“- oe 2 wwe cone o ae wees aoe conan ow eee ow 98
\ ow eee @ Oem 00 OO 6 tee Oe me o . on
2 ppeprrenr tT MT MSSM a Td
eeceeeee 60 000 © eenmne eine 680th anetnne ann aun sane ceeenenn ae oe HHHe
a) TRO ITV SUNIIINTIN
oe we eos oe woe
8 eee oe ee re er er
' coe omiwe . ec
6. «6 . woe .
1 woe 6 rr re rary ar ee
woe oe oe . . oe we oe
: . . . . rr er
aioe . o- oe eee
- wows swe owe ae
o+ - :
135 145155 165—=«C7H:=S18S:S 195205218225 235 -2KB 285

JULIAN DATE

FIG. 55. DISTANCE CATEGORY AT EACH CARIBOU OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE, 1991

14 eee caneacenees ane evecsissssna coves even sone sccmmeccens onnntin ass eeceme eee coer et

12

Pe. ee ewe comes © wee

a td ae tence 6 eee oe

oe

oe

8 cocncee to sbanennesmees + suas ereeene © ates sememre eas ae ae

10 emcee o mous pe ee Ded
! a com e0oe + oe oe oe ° °
c] eee eo oe ° oe © © ef +
oto cae a a i er)
6 ° ° ° owe oe ° owee owe e
aaa a ed
4 ° ° eo ce mo ee oes me em me
ee ame ene es we ce wm oom oo
24 rr a er ed
a os 08 0 8 om
0

4175 185 (195 «205 215 225 235 #245 255

JULIAN DATE
17




FAG34 CARIBOU GROUP SIZE, 1980 SEASO
DIA 2

35.0%
2.0% :

25.0% -

% GROUP SIZE
B
g
Sage

15.0%
.

10.0%

.

.
50%;
.
5

0%
0 2 4 6 8 10 120 140 160 180 20
‘GROUP SZE

Table 25. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation of
caribou, May, 1991.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
0 94 68.6% other animals
1 8 5.8% 18.6%
2 7 5.1% 16.3%
3 8 5.8% 18.6%
4 3 2.2% 7.0%
5 6 4.4% 14.0%
6 4 2.9% 9.3%
7 1 0.7% 2.3%
8 2 1.5% 4.7%
9 2 1.5% 4.7%
10 1 0.7% 2.3%
13 1 0.7% 2.3%

TOTAL 137 100.0% 100.0%


Fig. 14. Location and number of caribou per observation at each

milepost for 1988.

LOCATION OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS-1988

z
:

t

3

gs

ES

NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION
8

8.8

3
8

NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION
&

8

8

g

Fig. 15. Location and number of caribou per observation at each
milepost for 1989.

LOCATION OF CARIBOU OBSERVATIONS-1989

0.0 10.0 20.0 40.0 $0.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0

MILEPOST



NUMBER OF CARIBOU

200

+

180 -

160

140 -

120

100

80

60

40

20

0.0

Wet nt

Fig. 49. Number of caribou per observation at elevation

1989

wot, 7 sty
abel

$00.0 4000.0 1500.0 2000.0 2500.0 3000.0 3600.0 4000.0 4500.0
ELEVATION

.

73

levels.


Fig. 16. Location and number of caribou per observation at each

milepost for 1990.

8 8 € 8 & B
- bob

NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION

.
oe ‘telaniaendte. in idee,
10.

‘ i
o 200 300 40.0 800 60.0 70.0 80.0
MILEPOST

900

NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION

Fig. 17. Location and number of caribou per observation at each milepost

for 1991.
1991
200 -
180
160
140 -
120
100
80
60
40 .

20 - *e 2 8

:
. oS et

oo 100 200 300 400 $00 600 700 890
MILEPOST

390.6



Table 13. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation of
caribou, August, 1988.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
0 1309 56.9% other animals
1 554 24.1% 55.8%
2 183 7.9% 18.4%
3 98 4.3% 9.9%
4 59 2.6% 5.9%
5 3s 1.5% 3.5%
6 21 0.9% 2.1%
7 13 0.6% 1.3%
8 3 0.1% 0.3%
9 5 0.2% 0.5%
10 5 0.2% 0.5%
ani 4 0.2% 0.4%
12 2 0.1% 0.2%
13 4 0.2% 0.4%
15 1 0.0% 0.1%
17 3 0.1% 0.3%
18 1 0.0% 0.1%
20 1 0.0% 0.1%
23 1 0.0% 0.1%
TOTAL 2302 100.0% 100.0%

49


Table 4. Number of trips measured by hour and month for 1988.

HOUR MONTH
JULY AUGUST SEPT TOTAL
500 17 14 4 35
600 73 66 6 145
700 23 39 14 76
800 2 3 16 21
900 7 4 7 18
1000 6 9 6 21
1100 15 7 7 29
1200 21 18 2 “1
1300 5 1 0 6
1400 13 10 7 30
1500 34 28 7 69
1600 9 17 1 27
4700 0 0 0 0
1800 0 0 0
1900 6 14 1 21
2000 1 0 0 1
TOTAL 232 230 78 540


Table 15. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, May, 1989.

MAY 1989
Group Number of % & Observations by
Size Stops Stops Group Size
0 218 64.5 other animals
1 21 6.2 15.9
3 14 4.1 11.7
4 21 6.2 17.5
5 14 4a 41.7
6 9 2.7 5
7 7 2.4 5.8
8 5 1.5 4.2
9 2 0.6 1.7
10 5 1.5 4.2

1 0.3 0.8

° 0 °

1 0.3 0.8

0 0 0

1 0.3 0.8

0 0 0

6 ° @

0 ° °

0 ° °

0 0 °

338 100 99.3

338-218=120 stops were made to observe caribou during May, 1989

wn
re)


Table 26. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, June, 1991.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
ty) 406 58.7% other animals
1 113 16.3% 39.5%
2 30 4.3% 10.5%
3 45 6.5% 15.7%
4 28 4.0% 9.8%
5 23 3.3% 8.0%
6 7 1.0% 24%
7 ahi 1.6% 3.8%
8 2 0.3% 0.7%
9 6 0.9% 2.1%
10 3 0.4% 1.0%
ae 2 0.3% 0.7%
12 9 1.3% 3.1%
13 1 0.1% 0.3%
14 1 0.1% 0.3%
15 3 0.4% 1.0%
16 1 0.1% 0.3%
21 1 0.1% 0.3%
TOTAL 692 100.0% 100.0%


A free bus transportation system was then

th fee concession tour buses to carry
visitors into the park. During the last few days prior to winter
closure, a lottery ig held where winners are provided private
vehicle passage for the entire length of the road. Travel
permits are issued for limited private vehicle access to
Kantishna during the season the road is open.

end at Kantisnna’. A
established along wi

The park road is described by “milepost,”; for example, the park
entrance is epost 9,0, Denali Park headquarters 3.42,
Teklanika River Bridge at 31.28, etc. Frequently referenced
points are shown in Table 1. A detailed listing and description

of mileposts is in Appendix I.

This text desc
and 1990, cribes road conditions as they occurred: in 1989

For example, r
id 3 > road cl
Bridge at milepost 14.8 in 1991 moved to the Savage

2

River

ara

L

“Wt

iN



NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION

FIG. 26, NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY JULIAN DATE, 1990

n
8
8

2
8
4

a
3

FS

8
8

Fs

2
s

.

. a
. t. o, ° 2. ee
0 MT etek. linietnte dll attttliadltes heitted ot
135 145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215 225 235 245 255
JULIAN DATE

MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION

FIG. 26. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY MONTH, 1990

6:

5

4-

Re epee

oo

2° ee 4 4
ee
eS

1 oo oe a a

5 6 7 8 9

41


FIG. 24. NUMBER OF CARIBOU OBSERVED BY JULIAN DATE, 1988

200 >

180 +

2
2
iO

¢& 8 8 8 2

NOLLVAYASHO 3d NOBINVD 4O YAGWNN

+ al

a

145 «185 165 475 185, 195 205 «215225235 245 255
JULIAN DATE

135

FIG. 24 A. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY MONTH, 1988

i
|
|
1
|
i

ved ‘ dee
“nouwRuased Yad AogiuvS Jo waawan NvaW?

MONTH



FG 3. CARIBOU GROUP SIZE, 1991 SEASON:
40.0% ~

BN +
W.0% ~
B0%

20.0% -

% GROUP SIZES

.
15.0% =,
10.0% ;

5.0% -
te
00%, Wem . . . . .
0 2m 4 6 10 120 40 160 180 200
GROUP SIZES

Number of caribou calves per observation changed more through the
season in 1988 and 1989 than the other 2 years (Figs. 36-39). On
two occasions during 1988, =225 caribou calves were observed
intermingled in groups of up to 60 animals. Calves numbering 5-9
animals per observation were relatively common throughout th

: Sha i979 \Fias. 36 and 37). By ntrast, no
: gs oi calves per observation were made during 1999, anc
none >1 calf per cbservaticn in 1991 (Figs. 38 and 39). Buses

traveled, in 1990 and 1991, to mileposts where larger numbers of
young were observed during 1988 and 1989 (Figs. 40-43). These

data indicate that either cows with calves occupied areas of the
park where they could not be observed from the road, and/or there
was an apparent low reproductive success during the latter 2

years.


Alon

made less consistently, and many passengers slept. We felt this
method was more easily repeated compared to Tracy (1977), Singer
and Beattie (1986), and Looney (1992) who collected data the full
length of the trip.

The driver/observers stopped the bus at each animal sighting to
provide passengers the best possible viewing opportunity. During
the stop, observers recorded the bus odometer reading to the
tenth of a mile (with the animal perpendicular to the road),
species present, number of adult, young, or unknown sex/age of
animais, estimated or measured with a rangefinder animal distance
from the road, the side of the road the animal was located, and
pertinent remarks. Data sheets were collected daily as the bus
returned to the Savage River Check Station. The DENA Concessions
Specialist checked all data sheets for completeness, and
contacted observers for details in those rare cases when the
information was missing. Only one data sheet was discarded for
1988, and none for 1989. An occasional record with a distance
over 87 was observed due to drivers recording information on the
return trip, or due to an error in the vehicle odometer. During
analysis, records were truncated at milepost 87.

We made the decision to use bus drivers as observers in late May,
1988. The system was developed during June, and data were
coliected from July 1 through September 14, 1988. Distances were
estimated from July i to August 15. At that time each driver was
provided a rangefinder and trained in its’ use. From August 15
1988, throughout the rest of the study, distances were measured
in 10-m intervals to 100-m and 100-m intervals beyond 100-m (see
Appendix 2).

Data were collected the following dates:
1988 July 1 (Julian day 182)-September 16 (Julian day 259
1989 May 27 (Julian day 147)-September 17 (Julian day 260)
1990 May 23 (Julian day 143)-September 24 (Julian day 267)
1991 May 25 (Julian day 145)-September 14 (Julian day 257)
A Julian date calendar is included in Appendix 2.

A few drivers from the 1988 and 1989 seasons voluntarily
collected data during 1990 and 1991.

Bus system managers established the time driver observers
departed for the daily trip. Interest in conducting the study was
considered a higher priority than time of bus departure,
therefore, more results were reported at certain specified hours.
Drivers were limited to driving 5 days per week. For analysi
vas considered to be within 60 minute times of
statistical purposes, mes were lumped as ft

do am, 900 am-1400 pm, and 1500 pm -1600 pm.

13


% GROUP SIZE

60.0%

50.0% -

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

fj ep

FIG. 32. CARIBOU GROUP SIZE, JULY-SEPTEMBER, 1988

40 60 80 100 120 140 160
GROUP SIZE

180

200



FIG. 33. CARIBOU GROUP SIZE, 1989 SEASON

% GROUP SIZE
8
2

10.0% .
‘
5.0% |
|e
0.00% + ‘SS
0 2 40 a 80 400 120 40 160 180 200

GROUP SIZE

Table 20. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, May, 1990.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE

i) 93 61.6% other animals

1 7 46% 12%

2 14 9.3% 24%

3 13 8.6% 22%

4 7 4.6% 12%

§ 7 4.6% 12%

6 3 2.0% 5%

7 1 0.7% 2%

9 2 1.3% 3%

10 1 0.7% 2%

12 2 1.3% 3%

44 1 0.7% 2%
TOTAL 151 100.0% 100%

s7



NPS personnel at the Savage Creek Check Station record t:
counts. They keep a record of each vehicle and type that
the park. Traffic counts included the number of tour buse
shuttle buses, NPS vehicles, number of private vehicles,

including those going to Kantishna lodges, and the number
photographers. Total of all daily traffic was summed and
in Figs. 7 and 8 for 1988 and 1989.

Fig. 7. Total daily traffic for 1988.

1988
oO 160
te 140 o
au
Fe 120 | ovate a POR
z
a 100 | PO, 8 RS bane Puan
2 80+ os
Z gy: é
a 7 3
Z 407 ‘
5 20;
Fo oo+ °

147 157 467 177 187 197 207 217 227 237 247 257
JULIAN DATE

The NPS limits the number of private vehicles on the park
until near the close of the season in mid-September. The
week-end before closure of the road for winter, the NPS op
road to persons driving private vehicles who have won the
to do so through a lottery system. The number of private
vehicles increases for this limited time from approximatel
Fer day to approximately 180 per day (Fi 9).



INTRODUCTION

Denali National Park and Preserve (DENA) is a 6.03 million acre
reserve lying between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. The park
was established in 1917 as a wildlife refuge, and is managed to
maintain the wilderness character. With the highest mountain in
North America, Mt. McKinley, and the easy availability of
wildlife for viewing, the park is Alaska’s most favored
destination point. From 1972 through 1984, visitation grew from
88,615 to 394,426 visitor days per year (GMP, 1986), and then
increased by 50,000 per year to 596,000 visitors in 1988. This
demand for motorized access to the park, especially along the
92.5 mile-long park road, has resulted in controversy and claims
of traffic disturbance to wildlife [(letter from Superintendent
DENA July 13, 1988) ( Anchorage Daily News, May 14, 1995; May 26
1995; February 5, 1996; June 18,1996) Leo (1987); Lee Rue
(19396)j.

To assess these changes, the Superintendent requested the
wildlife road monitoring program reported here (letter from
Superintendent, DENA 2/2/1987).

The objectives of this study are to establish a monitoring
program to detect changes in the number of moose (Alces alces)
grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli), caribou
F r tarandus), and wolves (Canis lupus) observed by
visitors. Bus drivers were observers, recording the location,
number, and sex and age of animals observed by park visitors on
the daily trips into the park. The database would thus establish
& baseline for monitoring long term trends in the number of
animals observed along the park road.

at

The Denali Park Road.

The only major access into the area is the 92.5 mile (148 km)
Denali Park Road, constructed in 1938 (Fig. 1). The road begins
at the park boundary, near headquarters, and terminates at
Private inholdings near Kantishna (Fig. 1). The road was open to
park visitors and for access to the Kantishna area, from the 1938
completion until 1972. During this period, the only access to the
road was via the Alaska Railroad. When the George Parks Highway

S compl , the new route provided access to the park
entrance. rom Anchorage to Fairbanks now had easy
access to the Denali road, and a dramatic increase in vehicle
traffic resulted. Because of concern for wildlife, the Denali
road was closed to public travel in 1972 from mile 12.8 to the

1

@



1). Table 11. Concluded.

TOTAL MAY 853 853 100.00
JUNE 4694 4929 95.23
to JULY 5192 5375 96.62
28 AUGUST 5105 5279 96.70
‘ SEPTEMBER 1849 1981 93.34
3
TOTAL 17693 18417 96.06
1990 MAY 715 715 100.00
‘s TOTAL JUNE 2747 3231 85.02
JULY 2825 3691 76.54
AUGUST 2927 3508 83.44
SEPTEMBER 968 1108 87.36
ind
TOTAL 10192 12253 83.10
~ 1991 MAY 640 688 93.02
TOTAL JUNE 2397 2576 93.05
JULY 3405 4025 84.60
AUGUST 3095 3534 87.58
SEPTEMBER 524 849 61.72
TOTAL 10061 11672 86.20

Individual sightings were plotted against milepost to illustrate
the location where caribou could possibly occur (Figs. 14-17).
During the study caribou were observed along almost the entire
length of mile road (Figs.14-17). Patterns of location
and general numbers per observation, with the exception of large
groups, were Similar year to year. Two exceptions occurred in
the yearly data sets: 1)groups larger than 40 animals were not
observed in 1990 and 1991, and 2) animals were not observed past
mile 74 in 1990 and 1991, whereas, in 1988-1989, they were
observed throuuh mile ¢7. These differences are due to varying
ibou distribution, fewer observation drivers and fewer
buses traveling the entire length of the road during the latter
two years.

tne oF

naturale

32



NUMBER OF YOUNG CARIBOU

—4-—

i
{

Fig. 50. The number of young caribou per observation at
elevation

1989
.
oe
. .
°
oe eee
eo. . eee
o eee . . eee

Ommmoerrsercem ooo o

eer. caer ore Se ee

0.0 600.0 1000.0 1600.0 2000.0 = 2500.0 3000.0 © 3800.0 4000.0 4600.0

ELEVATION

|

74



TIME OBSERVATION BUSES STARTED

Fig.

8

12.

S

Time and date observations buses departed,

a ae

.

‘
fuser soctas oot ece es tee se

Seperate ett ecectttts MOT TN, Settaatatte atettesttan este”
vee baarared meena maar Ser es

1989
. .
.
wwe terete of *
- . os
- oe ¢ oe
Peery
too FF fe we

of Q oo
we ee Swe’ °

°
a eaten” sheoton ase

187 197 207 27 227 237 247 257
JULIAN DATE

22




FIG. 28A. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY HOUR OF BUS START, 1988

0002

006)

08h

* O0Lb

0091

<i] 00S)

Z| oot

ry + o a -
NOILVAMASEO Ud NOBINVS JO YASWNN NVAW

00th

o0zF

| oon

0001

HOUR

.

FIG. 29. NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY HOUR OF THE DAY, 1989.

o
Cat
‘esi
.
ere |
. oe Paar y.
. ae 8 wd
a |
py}
i
8 ¢@ a8 8 8 8 #@ &

NOILVANASEO Yad NOTIUVS 4O YAWN

1200

1000

600

200

HOUR

4
4


forms, the singular interest in large mammals, and do not reflect
the distribution of other animals along the road.

Caribou were the most common animals observed during all years
except 1990 when records were almost equal to Dall’s sheep (Table
9). This result is due to lack of shuttle drivers in 1990 (Table
3), who typically drove farther along the road than tour drivers
and, consequently, reported more caribou. Dall’s sheep were
second most common, followed by grizzly bears, then moose, with
foxes fifth, and wolves sixth in rank. Total records varied from
a high bou of 5,603 to a iow of i39i for wolves.

1 ca

Total number of animals observed was almost equal on the north
and south sides of the road, with 49% being on the north side,
and 46% being on the south side (Table 10). Five percent of all
observations were of animals on the road. More caribou adults and
more caribou calves were observed on the south than on the north
side of the road (p=0.0006 and p=0.04, Wilcoxon Rank Sum W test).
There was no difference in side of road for Dall’s sheep adults

in=0 99) lambs (5-9.72). griccly bear adults (6-9.26)
ipee.cO)}, lambs (pcc.72), gricziy scar adults (pce. ,

4). More gri
f the road (

ts (e=9.56) end mocse calves (p=0.5
were on tne south than the north side o

Table 10. Number of observations and percent of animals by side
of, or on the road, 1988.

MONTH
July August September Total for
Season
No. % No. % No. $& No. %
North 876 40 1225 53 386 63 2487 49
South 1166 53 975 42 203 33 2344 46
On Road 140 6 101 #4 26 4 267 5
Total 2182 43 2301 45 615 12 5098 100

29


MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU
N

FIG. 21. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER MILEPOST PER BUS TRIP, AUGUST, 1989

oe

= ®©® + © © &€ 5 &© s 8 5s 8 © & 5s B

= 2 8 & &§ 8&8 §| $< 6 8 F&F FS F RF & @
MILEPOST

4

= MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU .,
i

AG 22. MEAN NUVBER OF CARIBOU PER MLEPOST PER BUS TRIP, SEPTEVBER, 1989

x = = = 2©®5regpertr 5 8
er £5 & 5 8 F F&F S&F SR & 8
MLEPOST



Table 5. Number of observation trips measured by the hour and month, 1989.
HOUR MONTH

MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPT TOTAL
500 4 7 5 9 0 25
600 17 77 72 64 15 245
700 4 16 20 19 19 78
800 0 9 8 6 3 26
900 0 1 1 2 0 4
1000 0 0 0 0 0 0
1100 0 1 1 1 0 3
1200 0 2 6 4 0 12
4300 0 7 4 8 2 21
1400 0 6 6 7 14 33
1500 7 32 4 19 0 62
1600 0 0 6 1 1 8
1700 0 0 15 0 0 15
1800 0 0 1 0 0 1
1900 0 0 0 0 0 0
2000 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 32 158 149 140 54 533

24



Fig. 5. Daily number of shuttle bus trips, Denali National Park
and Preserve, 1989.

40

35

30

oe

25 -

ge

20 =

15
|
10 +

DAILY NUMBER OF TOUR BUSES

j
i
i
5+
|
|

0

145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215 225 235 245 255
JULIAN DATE

TOUR BUS SYSTEM. A private concessionaire operates fee tour
buses that stop for passengers at lodges outside the park or at
the park hotel. Round trips are driven each day from these
locations to Toklat or Stony Hill Overlook (Fig.1). These buses
follow a rather loose schedule which allows passengers to linger
longer then those on shuttle buses during wildlife observations.
driver provides amplified running commentary on natural
. ded prior to making the return trip. The
number of trips is shown in Fig. 6.

DRIVER OBSERVERS We selected drivers as observers for this study
from both the bus systems. Drivers were selected based upon
their interest in the project, their background, and length of
time driving the park road.

Fifteen shuttle and tour drivers participated in the study from
1988-1991 (Table 3). Three drivers participated all 4 years.- A
ire revealed driver observers had been in the
years, and had been driving in

2 average of £.4 y Six, cf ten reporting, had

or of Science/Arts degrees, one a Master of Arts degree,
one an Associate Arts degree, and two did not report college
degrees. In sum, the driver observers were highly experienced

il



Table 23. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, August, 1990.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE

0 348 59.0% other animals

1 115 19.5% 47.5%

2 44 7.5% 18.2%

3 41 6.9% 16.9%

4 22 3.7% 9.1%

5 8 1.4% 3.3%

6 3 0.5% 1.2%

7 4 0.2% 0.4%

8 4 0.7% 1.7%

10 1 0.2% 0.4%

1 1 0.2% 0.4%

12 41 0.2% 0.4%

22 1 0.2% 0.4%
TOTAL 590 100.0% 100.0%

Table 24. Group size, number and percentage of stops for observation
of caribou, September, 1990.

GROUP NUMBER OF % % OBSERVATIONS
SIZE STOPS STOPS BY GROUP SIZE
0 100 67.6% other animals

1 16 10.8% 33.3%
2 1 7.4% 22.9%
3 10 6.8% 20.8%
4 3 2.0% 6.3%
5 3 2.0% 6.3%
6 4 2.7% 8.3%
7 1 0.7% 21%
TOTAL 148 100.0% 400.0%

59



FIG, §1. JULIAN DATE CARIBOU WERE OBSERVED AT ELEVATION LEVELS

4500

“4

4000 —

3500

bet

3000

2600 -

2000

ELEVATION

—

1500

1000

500 -

135 145185 165 9175 185 «195 = 208 215 225 235 245 255
JULIAN DATE

The number of caribou occurring at higher elevation increased
from the end of May until mid-June(Fig. 51). From mid-June until
early August, most caribou observations occurred above 33UuU reel
(1006 m) elevation. From early August until the end of the
season, the greatest number of observations were of animals below
3200 feet (975 m) elevation.

bistances caribou were observed from the road were lumped into 14
categories: O-on the road; 1-10 = 10 m intervals to 100 m; ll =
100-200 m; 12 = 200-300 m; 13 = 300-400 m; and 14 = > 400 m
interval (see Appendix 2).

No change in distance categories could be detected during the 4
years. No evident movement away from the road was detectable.
All 4 years show fewer observations of caribou within the first
100 m category during the last 30 days of the season, probably an
artifact of migration rather than a response to traffic (Figs-

52-58

7S


FIG. 298, MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY HOUR OF BUS DEPARTURE

009L

00st

o0rt

bone

vr < 2 I -
NOILVANASHO Yad YASWNN NVA

ooft

oz

OOH

oor

HOUR

a
Fj

FIG. 30. NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY HOUR OF THE DAY, 1990.

200 -

1800 2000

1600

1400

°
S
=

200

' ‘ A ' oo
eee es © gs gs ©

LVAYASHO Yad NOBIYVD JO YASWNN

180 -
z
9160 -

HOUR

w


FIG. 331A. MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION BY HOUR OF BUS DEPARTURE,
1991

MEAN NUMBER OF CARIBOU PER OBSERVATION

1100
1500

HOUR

Caribou group size uated May through September (Tables 12-
29), from groups ¢t 2 individuals, and back to small groups.
Caribou were more frequently present in groups of <10 animals
during May and June. During July and August, individuals were
most commonly observed, with groups of five or more animals
making up only 10% of all other observations. Groups of 2 or 3
caribou were typically as common as single individuals when the
visitor season closed in September and samples sizes were smaller
than previocu Y hs. Groups =>5 animals made up 124 (1989) to
39- (1985) cf observations for September.

fluct
o sing

Mean caribou group size for the season of years measured is shown
in Figs. 32-35. Single animals were present in 35-60% of the
stops to observe caribou. From that point, the percentage o
larger groups falls off rapidly Stops where groups of 2 animals
were observed were made 158-208 of the time. Three to five
animals occurred at stops 5%-<15% of the time. No group larger
than 5 animals was observed at >5% of the stops.

Stops were made t in size
6 times in i986, in i991.


NPS personnel at the Savage Creek Check Station record traffic
counts. They keep a record of each vehicle and type that enters
the park. Traffic counts included the number of tour buses,
shuttle buses, NPS vehicles, number of private vehicles,
including those going to Kantishna lodges, and the number of
Photographers. Total of all daily traffic was summed and is shown
in Figs. 7 and 8 for 1988 and 1989.

Fig. 7. Total daily traffic for 1988.

1988
9 160 ,
itt 140 + . rn
& 120 oot °
rs oo o0Sa¥: Ye et
Fe wes
F 100 oS Sas 445 oye
2 aot °¢3
4 so | &
Z 407
5 20
- 0 + >
147 157 167 177 187 197 207 217 227 237 247 257
JULIAN DATE

The NPS limits the number of private vehicles on the park road
until near the close of the season in mid-September. The last
week-end before closure of the road for winter, the NPS opens the
road to persons driving private vehicles who have won the right
to do so through a lottery system. The number of private
vehicles increases for this limited time from approximately 40
per day te approximate_y 180 per day (Fig. 9).

14

TATAL NAN Y TOACCIA

DAILY PRIVATE VEHICI FS