Elk Traps

I went out with the Division of Wildlife last week to set elk traps. The purpose of the effort is to capture a number of cow elk and fit them with radio collars, then monitor their movements as the year progresses. Currently, we haven't seen very much success; only 8 elk have been trapped, with 3 of those being cows. We've seen a large number of elk, but the mild weather and lack of snow cover are impeding progress. A hay-baited trap is just not that attractive, I guess.

In contrast, the DOW folks tell me that 70 elk were trapped last year in a two-week span. The difference is that last year the winter was much more severe with much more snow cover. They also say that the animals were much more docile and easier to approach, which is not the case this year.

The DOW biologist for our area, Jamin Grigg, provided me with maps of last year's radio- collared cow elk locations. The Division put collars on 35 cows last year and it's interesting to note that they were still in higher terrain near the Routt National Forest this past December.

It sounds like the DOW may have to change tactics if greater success is not forthcoming with the traps. It may be necessary to trap elk from the air and if that becomes the approach, it will bring a different set of circumstances into play.