The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Minnesota State University-Mankato and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation plan to wrap up a two-year elk study in 2018.
Biologists placed radio collars on 20 elk in 2016 with a goal to monitor elk herd movements, habitat use and depredation management in order to improve management that benefits elk and their habitat while also addressing conflicts with landowners. The project is the first of its kind in Minnesota and is scheduled to end in June of 2018.
The Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund provided funding for the project as did the DNR and RMEF.
As of December 31, 2016, RMEF and its partners completed 177 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects with a combined value of more than $2.8 million. These projects conserved enhanced 55,634 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 943 acres.
(Photo source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)