Biggest Big Game Study Begins

The most ambitious study of Idaho's deer and elk populations ever performed by Fish and Game begins this month. Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists are preparing to capture and radiocollar up to 600 adult mule deer and elk scattered across the state. Capture and collar operations represent the first phase of a project designed to investigate elk and deer population performance across a range of habitats. Biologists are particularly interested in survival rates and the specific factors responsible for deer and elk mortality. Project leader Pete Zager said "We suspect that these population characteristics will vary with habitat, topography, ungulate population vigor, predator number and distribution, and other factors. Furthermore, increasing wolf populations have led to plenty of speculation but little data regarding wolf impacts on ungulate populations." Capture will begin in Unit 50 in early February, then move through Units 28, 36A, 36B, 39, 43, 44, 45, 10, 12, and 15. If the weather cooperates, Units 60A, 32, and 32A will also be included. Backcountry units may become part of the study area in the future. Most animals will be captured using a helicopter that will herd animals into drive nets where they become entangled enough that biologists can further restrain and process them. Adult female mule deer and elk will be fitted with radio collars, ear-tagged, evaluated, and released. They will be monitored on a weekly basis. When a radio signal indicates an animal has died, biologists will investigate the site to determine the cause of death. Survival and cause-specific mortality data will contribute to understanding of the role wolves play in a variety of ranges across Idaho's wildlife landscape. Fish and Game biologists continue to capture and collar mule deer fawns across southern Idaho in another study aimed at learning what happens to the generation of animals coming up. This study includes hundreds of young deer. Fish and Game has never before attempted to capture and collar as many adult deer and elk as in the new study, nor has the department been able previously to take such a look at the whole state at one time.