Moose To Be Captured and Radio-Collared

MOSCOW - As part of a University of Idaho (UI) graduate student project, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and UI personnel plan to capture and radio-collar 10 adult cow moose in the Moscow Mountain area during the 2nd or 3rd week of April. Moose will be darted with immobilizing drugs fired from a helicopter. Biologists will draw blood to determine pregnancy and general condition, evaluate physical condition using a body condition score, collect a DNA sample, and fit each animal with a radio collar and ear tags before release. These animals will then be monitored periodically by UI graduate student, Jon Muir, to determine overall movements and survival. With this information, he hopes to develop a better understanding of moose distribution and ecology in north central Idaho so IDFG can better manage moose populations.