South San Juans CO

[bowinhand]

Just a heads up prior to season this year, I don't know how it will effect archery season for elk.

ELK, BIGHORN STUDY CONTINUING IN THE SOUTH SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS

MONTE VISTA, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is continuing its study of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and elk populations in south central Colorado. As part of the study, the agency plans to capture and place telemetry collars on 20 elk and six bighorns Aug. 5-9.

The capture will be done by a helicopter crew in the South San Juan Mountains on both the east and west sides of the Continental Divide. Some of the capture will take place in the South San Juan Wilderness Area for which permission has been granted by the U.S. Forest Service.

People hiking in the area might see or hear a helicopter. At times the helicopter will be flying low while following animals and will briefly land to complete the collaring. The flights, however, will be in remote areas away from most established trails, and disturbances in any single area will be of short duration. Signs will be posted at trailheads to inform wilderness users of areas that might be influenced by motorized activity.

The project, which started in 2012, is helping biologists and land managers identify herd migration patterns in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. The elk study is examining migration patterns and testing agency methods for estimating populations. In the bighorn study, biologists are examining habitat use to determine their range and if it overlaps with areas where domestic sheep graze.

If all goes as planned, this will be the last capture operation for this study. Previously 29 elk and six bighorns were captured. The telemetry collars provide location information to biologists who will monitor animal movements for the next five years.

The project is supported by the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the U.S. Forest Service.

To learn more about elk and bighorns in Colorado, go to the agency's web site at cpw.state.co.us.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

I think this is one reason i didnt see any elk last year.. I was told that they did this last year.. and my buddy confirmed it when he saw a decent bull this summer with a collar lol

 

[Grey Man]

Follow the copters, find the elk!

 

[KStrapper]

Can you shoot the animal if it has a collar? I'm assuming you would just turn the collar in to DOW.

 

[Shrek]

If they don't publish any regulations on the collars I would shoot the elk and leave the collar with the carcass. I would never voluntarily interact with law enforcement as you never know how they may see things . The professon attracts and extremely high number of sociopaths who enjoy hurting people. You go to turn in a collar and you meet Sargent sociopath and he decides to see what he can write you for and you fronicated. I'm not saying that most LEO's are crazy but there are enough that it's bad odds to interact with them. The professon rarely holds their own accountable or weeds out the jerks. I have a few friends who are LEO's and they warn me of specific officers who are absolutely unfit but are not run out. One looks to taze everbody he can and another who adds mph to tickets to make them into higher points and fines. Other officers know of this but nothing is done but warn friends and family.