Colorado has more wild, free-ranging elk than any other state in America. Biologists with Colorado Park and Wildlife (CPW) recently captured some amazing footage of a giant herd during a flight over the Upper Arkansas River Valley in the central part of the state.
CPW conducts big game survey work in the winter when herds concentrate and visibility is ideal. Crews are able to identify herds by sex and age, and use date to generate male-to-female radios, estimate populations and gather information to help rate overall elk health and determine hunting quotas.
To view a series of videos captured by the flight crew, check out the CPW SE Region Twitter page and scroll down to the five videos posted on 12/28/2020.
(Photo source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)