Elk Calves To Be Captured As Part Of Research Study

LEWISTON - As part of a long-term investigation, Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists plan to capture and radio-collar about 30 elk calves along the South Fork of the Clearwater River in Big Game Management Unit 15 during June. Calves less than about four days old will be spotted from a helicopter, then biologists will attempt to capture them by hand. The calves will be weighed, measured, evaluated, and fitted with an expanding mortality-sensing radio collar. The radios will be monitored frequently and when a mortality is indicated, a crew will visit the site as soon as possible to determine the fate of the calf. With this calf mortality information, biologists hope to develop a better understanding of the factors that influence elk recruitment so the Department can better manage elk populations.