Hunters make an on-ground- difference for elk, other wildlife, and conservation.
They contribute $440 million every year to conservation groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
In southern Colorado, calf recruitment is ailing so RMEF is providing $80,000 for a two-year study to try to determine why.
Specifically, the funding goes towards the purchase of GPS collars and capture costs while RMEF volunteers step up to offer on-the-ground assistance to wildlife biologists in the capture and collaring effort.
Data accumulated from the collared elk calves will determine pregnancy rates, fetal counts and specific causes of calf elk mortality during their first year of life.
Additional information will shine a light on cow body condition and birth weights while consecutive year reproduction will provide researchers with valuable insights about nutritional influences and the effectiveness of habitat treatments.
The project also aims to address poor mule deer range habitat.
The study takes place on public land accessible to hunters. And the ultimate goal is to apply the research finding to benefit elk recruitment all across Colorado.
Funded and supported by hunters, projects like this one highlight how #HuntingISConservation