OCR Text |
Show 384 Elk Sighted In Winter Census Last week conservation officers of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conducted the annual winter elk census of the herds in Garfield County and spotted 384 elk. The Dutton and Boulder Mountain units were surveyed and census work was done by helicopter this year. Locating the animals by helicopter has proved more successful than by a fixed-winged aircraft, said Norman McKee, Panguitch Conservation officer. Two hundred and eighty-two elk were observed on the Mt. Dutton unit. This compares with a sue year average (since choppers were first used) of 211 elk. No attempt was made to classify the animals by sex as many of the bulls had shed their antlers. The elk appeared to be in excellent health despite the snowy conditions that have occurred on the mountain this winter. Most elk were found in the Prospect, Rock Creek and Cottonwood drainages, explained McKee. The officers were not as successful as anticipated on the new Boulder Mtn. unit. Only 44 of the approximately 150 newly transplanted elk were located. These were found near Lower Bowns Reservoir. Attempts at locating the remainder of the herd were met with frustration. Continued attempts to moniter the new herd will be made by aircraft and horseback as spring and summer progresses, said McKee. A herd of 58 elk was also observed by vehicle east of Angle at the edge of the Parker Mtn. in Piute County The Parker Mtn. is a northwest extension of the Boulder Mtn. A small herd migrated from the Fish Lake unit several years ago Apparently more elk have joined the herd this winter. They may or may not return north to the Fish Lake area as spring approaches, added McKee. Another attempt was also made to locate the small migratory elk herd that has been observed on the south Beaver the past several summers This herd of about 30-40 animals is frequently seen in the Dog Valley area in the summer and fall, but atempts to locate their wintering area has proved jnsuccessful. |