We're on the elk problem....

[Bluehair]

...but the collars keep falling off. Seriously.

The decline has been attributed to high calf mortality: About half the elk calves born in Southwest Colorado die within six months, and an additional 15% die before they reach a year old.

In the absence of one clear cause such as disease – which was ruled out – wildlife officials don’t know what’s driving the deaths.

Weinmeister said CPW is trying to determine why calves have died at high rates in study areas around Montrose and Trinidad. But research has been slow because expandable radio collars put on the calves keep falling off.

.CPW Article

 

[BeDawg]

Sound wildlife management is where science meets common sense. We have totally lost the battle on predators and need to do something to help balance wildlife.

 

[elks96]

...but the collars keep falling off. Seriously.



.CPW Article

the expandable collars are a little tricky, but they are not preventing data. The CPW knows pretty well that 2 things are driving the mortality. Excessive human presence in the land year round, and predators. They however are no willing to come out and say it until they have the very best research.

hell look at the way supposed sportsmen are still whining and complaining about shed seasons. Even thought common sense says limiting shed hunting until after the worst parts of winter is good for elk and deer people still complain about it.

unless they have solid science to come out and say human recreation and predators are the causes they are just going to keep their heads down. Don’t blame them as the liberal will flip their shot and sue the crap out of them if they say it is predators and try increasing opportunities.

 

[Bluehair]

I agree with everything you said. And I would have been canned or transferred to Siberia if I had said that to the press in my former life. I guess you are right, the truth hurts but at least its the truth.

 

[COLOelkman]

The articles I've read seem to focus 100% on recreational activities being the largest contributor to the problem. My personal observations of seeing more bear sign every year leads me to think that's a bigger part of the problem. I did see that they will lower the Resident bear tag by $10 this year so that might help some but not sure how much.

 

[Bluehair]

The collars are falling off because the predators can't swallow them.

 

[otcbowhunter]

https://www.abqjournal.com/1416018/new-mexico-ranchers-say-elk-are-damaging-property.html

"a member of the stockman’s group, said he expects ranchers in the area will have to keep shooting elk through spring. "