The Elk will be introduced into native habitat. A number of years ago a herd of elk was re-introduced to Michigan in the Pigeon River Country State Forest, east of Vanderbilt, Michigan with the purpose of establishing a DNR regulated game herd and to provide added recreational interest to Michigan's northern landscape. Because Michigan's northern landscape is similar to many elk habitats in the western states of Montana and Wyoming, through management and land use suitability planning, successful herds can be established in Michigan as well. The data was applied through the Geographic Information System MapFactory, on maps compiled by Jennifer Stefanacci.
Specific methods used for the production of Elk Suitability are as follows.
Analysis of the forest cover map showed that areas of Aspen dominate forest provide the best habitat for elk. These Aspen stands are usually surrounded by other species of forest that provide protection, while that Aspen provides grazing area. Forest habitats were recoded into levels one, two, and three, depending on suitability. This new map was combined with the Urban Development maps to show areas that are near human activity. This new map was then recoded again to show the hierarchy of development areas, and was utilized as the final elk herd suitability map.