Regan Berkley
Regan Berkley
dead determine died duties fred physical taking trained
Fred is taking on more of the backcountry duties for us. He has been trained to do necropsy (autopsy of animals) on dead elk to determine how they died and their physical condition.
above estimated numbers population puts unit
In 1999, we estimated the elk population to be at 963 elk in the unit. After this year's count, we estimate the population to be 1,537 elk. That is a significant increase, and puts elk numbers in Unit 48 well above our objective.
captured causes changes collars conditions cows currently estimate exceed few include increase locations migration moved numbers past patterns plotting possible potential radio represents several summer unit weather winter
In general, elk numbers and composition in Unit 48 exceed our objectives. This year's estimate represents a significant increase in elk numbers over the past several years. Potential causes for this increase include fluctuations in winter weather conditions over the past few years and possible changes in seasonal migration patterns from Units 43 and 44 to Unit 48. We are currently plotting the locations of cows with radio collars to see how they have moved between where they were captured in the summer and where they are now.