Frisina looked at the effects of a three pasture rest-rotation grazing system on the habitat selection by elk on the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area, in southwestern Montana. The three pasture grazing system consisted of one pasture that was grazed throughout the season (June-October), one pasture grazed post-seedripening (August 18-22) and one rested pasture. During July and early August, 94% of elk were found in pastures not occupied by cattle. When the cattle began to move into the ripened pasture, elk began to shift habitat to higher and drier elevations, so the influence of cattle was not easily observed. During the following spring (May-June), elk were found mostly on the pasture that the cows grazed on from June-October and not on the rested pasture. This was likely due to the grazed pasture having fresher forage and less litter accumulation. Frisina emphasized that properly managed grazing systems can be beneficial for elk, especially in the spring, as well as for cattle throughout the grazing season.
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