Elk Survey Results Underscore Importance of Elk Research

By Justin Stakes

St. Paul, MN -(AmmoLand.com)- Fluctuations in the 2016 annual elk population survey illustrate one of the primary reasons wildlife researchers have begun placing GPS collars on elk in northwestern Minnesota and tracking their movements.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ aerial survey counts elk in three herds in the state’s elk range. This year’s survey results show large population swings in two of the three herds that might be caused by elk traveling into and out of Canada – and across the survey boundary.

“These survey results underscore the importance of upcoming research into elk movements,” said John Williams, the DNR’s northwest region wildlife manager. “The aerial survey is a snapshot in time. Tracking elk movements over a longer time period will provide information that will make our elk survey more effective and allow us to better manage elk.”

In total, survey spotters counted 83 elk in the state’s elk range in Kittson, Marshall and Roseau counties, down from 131 in the 2015 survey.

In the Grygla herd in Marshall County, spotters counted 21 elk, up slightly from the 18 counted last year and 20 counted in 2014. The …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand