If there is no numeric objective in the panhandle why are there more restrictive cow seasons, like in units 4 and 4a where only part of the units are open?

A numeric objective (as seen in the big game regulation booklet) refers to the total number of bulls or cows the department is trying to manage for. Due to the dense forests in the Panhandle, aerial surveys cannot produce reasonable estimates of elk numbers for Units in the Panhandle Zone. The Panhandle does manage elk using other information such as cow:calf ratios, calf and cow survival, and hunter harvest data (and we are working on using remote cameras to get population estimates…stay tuned).

The 2014 Elk Plan produced population growth objectives for groups of units. For example, Units 4 and 4A have a goal to stabilize the population with a growth objective of up to 20% more elk. The Panhandle has management goals for elk, but they differ from much of the rest of Idaho’s elk zones.

Since the elk plan was adopted in 2014, we have been collaring cow and calf elk in Units 4, 6, and 7. The survival data has shown that calves have much higher survival in front country areas with mixed land ownership like the Silver Valley portion of Unit 4 and Unit 6 compared to backcountry areas such as northern Unit 4 and Unit 4A. Those front country areas have high enough cow and calf survival to allow some hunter harvest of cows without causing the population to decline.