Roads into Elk Country

Spotting an elk while driving along a dirt road is exciting, but finding one after hiking for miles can be so much more satisfying. It also may mean that the section of forest is in a roadless area with closed roads. These areas with fewer open roads make for good elk habitat. Elk are increasingly vulnerable as road density increases. Roads allow easy access for hunters and poachers, which can increase harvest rates. When harvest rates go up, bull-to-cow ratios go down, which can lead to more restrictive hunting seasons. Other recreationalists use roads to gather firewood and berries, take photographs and drive to hiking trails. While it is handy for people to have roads to wherever they might want to go, elk are less likely to use areas within a half mile of roads, even if there is good forage. When ATVs rumble by, elk move away from roads and burn more calories. This means elk need to forage longer when they could be resting. Building roads or creating off-road trails reduces forage available to elk by converting it to bare ground and causing erosion. Invasive plants, such as cheat grass and spotted knapweed, love to move into areas with disturbed soil and can out-compete native plants. To reduce elk vulnerability and protect habitat, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has adopted motorized vehicle restrictions in 31 of the 99 big game units in the state. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission recently added the motorized vehicle rule in two more units - 66A and 76 - where deer and elk populations are below objectives. The rule restricts motorized travel by hunters to only those roads capable of travel by full-sized automobiles. Hunters may pack in a camp or pack out an animal if such travel is allowed by the land owner or manager, and they do not hunt while packing meat or camps. As hunters head out into the woods this fall, they are reminded that following Idaho's motorized vehicle restrictions, respecting road closures, and staying on designated roads helps provide better habitat for all wildlife. Hunters also are reminded that it is illegal to hunt game animals from any motorized vehicle. It is also unlawful to shoot a firearm from, down, or across a public road. Officers will be using artificially simulated animals in high violation areas to help combat this public safety issue.