FWP helicopter crews to capture, aollar elk as study continues

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks continues to work on a multi-year project in the Lower Clark Fork near Noxon in Sanders County to better understand elk populations.

Crews have been capturing and collaring wildlife, including elk, with GPS radio collars to track their movements, help evaluate population numbers, and identify the different causes of elk mortalities.

As part of the project, a helicopter crew will be flying over forestlands between Thompson Falls and the Montana-Idaho border in the coming weeks to capture adult elk and assist ground crews. FWP has received permission from private landowners in the area where ground crews may work and has informed the Kootenai National Forest. Helicopter crews will work from sunrise to sunset.

To date, FWP has captured 212 elk and collared 101 adults, 20 six-month-old calves, and 91 neonatal calves in the Hunting District 121 study area since December 2022. Additionally, FWP has collared nine mountain lions, seven black bears and two wolves as part of the project.

As part of a separate research project, FWP will also be using a helicopter crew to capture and collar bighorn sheep in the Bull River area in the near future.

Noxon Project Background

FWP biologists are partnering with researchers at the University of Montana W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation to carry out a comprehensive study of elk populations in HD 121.

The project will focus on:

• Survival, recruitment, and pregnancy rates of elk;

• Predator-prey interactions between elk and wolves, bears, and lions;

• Seasonal distribution patterns on public and private lands;

• Habitat needs and land-use practices that could benefit elk;

• Wildlife management strategies for northwest Montana.

In order to properly manage any wildlife species, biologists and managers must have a good understanding of the animals and habitat conditions in an area. This new project will gather valuable local information about the drivers of elk populations, including predator-prey interactions and changes in forest management.

To learn more about the project, read the latest project reports online at fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/elk/research.