Idaho Biologists Plan to Collar 30 Elk

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — State biologists plan to capture as many as 30 elk in northern Idaho starting next week to put radio collars on them as part of a multiyear study into what's killing them.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that Idaho Fish and Game workers plan to lure elk in the remote Lolo hunting zone into traps baited with hay. Biologist Jon Horne says the study will look into how snow depth is related to elk mortality. He says the deeper the snow, the higher chances elk have of dying.

He says past studies have found deep snow makes it harder for elk to find food and escape predators, including wolves. He says the most recent study will find out if predators or lack of nutrition are bigger factors in elk deaths in heavy snow years.