CPW to conduct deer, elk classification surveys with low-flying helicopters

Kara Van Hoose
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-829-7143 / [email protected]

Dec. 14, 2023
 

CPW surveying deer, elk herds using low-flying helicopters starting Monday

DENVER, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife Northeast Region will be conducting deer and elk classification surveys using low-flying helicopters starting December 18. The flights will be low to the ground and could be seen from urban areas across the Front Range. The duration of the flights will be weather-dependent, with operations extending into January.

CPW biologists will be counting deer and elk herds from the air near Fort Collins, South Park, Castle Rock and across the eastern plains. They will be noting herd size and sex of the wildlife spotted. The flights are also a chance to assess the health of the deer and elk populations through calf reproduction.

“Helicopter flights are the most effective wildlife counting option for Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” said Lance Carpenter, Northeast Region Senior Wildlife Biologist. “While deer and elk may find the noise uncomfortable, the stress dissipates quickly and wildlife resume their daily routine without long-term effects.”

The annual classification counts are a crucial step in gathering data to better inform the hunting license numbers set for each unit. Biologists and wildlife officers will synthesize these numbers in the late winter and early spring during their licensing setting process.

CPW also uses this data to craft population objectives for each herd in herd management plans.

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