Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep and Elk to be Captured and Radio-collared

LEWISTON - - As part of Idaho Department of Fish and Games efforts to rebuild mountain goat populations and to determine the many factors influencing bighorn sheep and elk populations in the Clearwater Region, IDFG will conduct three capture and radio-collaring efforts in the next few weeks. Using a net-gun or dart-gun fired from a helicopter, IDFG plans to capture 20 cow elk in Unit 15, another 20 elk in Unit 10, and 20 in Unit 12. After immediately being restrained and blindfolded to reduce stress, the captured animals will be aged, radio-collared, tested for pregnancy and the overall body condition will be evaluated. Capture and handling times are kept as short as possible to minimize stress. Upon release, the elk will become part of a study investigating factors affecting herd productivity and survival. This information will provide an important piece of the puzzle that will direct future efforts to maintain Idahos elk populations. IDFG also plans to dart and transplant 20 mountain goats from the Seven Devils area near Riggins, ID to vacant, but suitable habitat in the Sheep Hill area along the Salmon River. Five goats will be fitted with radio collars to monitor their movements and survival. This transplant is a continuation of efforts to rebuild goat herds along the north side of the Salmon River. As part of the continuing Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Initiative, a restoration effort involving the state wildlife agencies of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, IDFG biologist plan to capture, radio-collar and then monitor the survival of 50 sheep from five different herds in the canyon. A critical component of the Bighorn Initiative is to evaluate both adult and lamb survival. Each radio-collared sheep will be tracked twice a week during the summer and fall months.