>In Idaho, the wildlife guys risk
>their lives by flying helicopters
>in lots of units or
>sub-units collecting info such as
>numbers, herd composition, bull/cow ratios,
>cow/calf ratios, and pathogen loads.
> They trap elk by
>restraining them after they entangle
>themselves in nets (try that
>sometime) and place telemetry radios
>on them to monitor movement
>and causes of mortality.
>Units have objectives and the
>above data is used to
>make changes in the management(types
>and numbers of hunts)of the
>herds. From what I
>can tell, they are passionate,
>hard working, and serious about
>their thankless jobs. Most
>are hunters who give a
>#####.
I agree 100%. I think its a shame that wildlife management is a matter of politics as much as biology, if not moreso. The introduction of the wolves in Idaho epitomizes the role that politics plays. People who have never seen a herd of elk cannot appreciate the sight, but everyone wants to identify with a predator.