Wildlife Officials Use Tracking Collars to Better Count Elk
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Idaho wildlife managers are embracing technology to more accurately monitor the state's elk population.
The Lewiston Tribune reports that Idaho Department of Fish and Game is using tracking collars in addition to aerial surveys to count herds. The collars have been placed on 60 elk in each of six geographic areas throughout the state. The collars help biologists keep tabs on where the animals migrate, what types of habitat they use and when an animal has died.
Typically wildlife officials use helicopters to crisscross fame management units every three to five years and tally the elk they see. The collars allow biologists to know where elk are between the time-consuming counts.