Fish and Game to begin big game aerial surveys

JEROME - Beginning this week, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will conduct aerial surveys for deer and elk in several management units in the Magic Valley Regions. The survey results will provide information from which Idaho Fish and Game wildlife management decisions will be based for determining future hunting seasons. The flights are scheduled to cover the same units at the same time every year to make the information gathered comparable from year-to-year. The goal is to compare deer and elk population trends, age structure, and sex ratios for each species. A helicopter flying low and slow over some of the most remote areas of the state is the most efficient tool for gathering big game herd information. Aerial surveys are conducted mostly during winter months when the animals are gathered on lower elevation winter ranges. The winter months also bring two requirements needed to conduct accurate surveys, clear weather for good visibility, and snow covering that aid in locating and identification the animals. Data gathered in the aerial surveys will be presented to sportsmen at the upcoming big game open houses in Twin Falls, Burley, and Hailey in February.