Little Change in Big Game Survival Rate

The survival rate for radio-collared female elk and mule deer in an ongoing Idaho Fish and Game research project remained essentially the same in 2006. As of June 2007, the most recent results available, the overall survival rate of radio-collared adult female elk in the research areas was 88 percent; up from January 2006 when the survival rate was 86 percent. Female elk survival over 85 percent is generally considered normal and sustainable. The overall survival rate of radio-collared adult female mule deer was 86 percent; up from 83 percent the year before. Female mule deer survival over 80 percent is generally considered normal and sustainable. This year, Fish and Game plans to capture and collar additional elk in the Garden Valley area as part of one of the largest big game research project ever undertaken in Idaho, and possibly the West. The ongoing project began in January 2005, when Fish and Game biologists captured and put radio collars on more than 400 elk and more than 450 deer to learn how they live and how they die. Fish and Game biologist have been monitoring several hundred deer, elk and moose in game management units across the state. The goal is to learn how changing habitats and predators affect big game populations.