CDFW Conducts Helicopter Surveys to Monitor Elk Populations in Northeastern California

This November, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will perform helicopter surveys across Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, and Shasta counties to monitor and assess elk populations in Northeastern California.

These aerial surveys provide biologists with a quick and effective way to gather data over vast open habitats, allowing for efficient tracking of elk numbers, distribution, demographics, and overall population trends.

The data collected from these surveys will help scientists estimate elk herd sizes within specific hunt zones and management units, offering valuable insights into how well the populations are performing. CDFW uses this information to understand the impact of factors like habitat quality, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat fragmentation on the elk.

The results are also instrumental in setting tag quotas, hunting seasons, and boundary recommendations, which are reviewed and adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission.

CDFW encourages big game hunters and the public to participate in the commission’s annual regulatory cycles, where harvest recommendations are discussed. Interested individuals can find upcoming meeting information, including dates, locations, and virtual access links, on the California Fish and Game Commission website.