The epidemic of mountain beetle kill within the forests of the West is well documented with more than 1.5 million acres of forest affected in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming alone. Such changes have a dramatic impact on the landscape.
A continuing study aims to provide information on how hunters and elk change their use of the forest as trees die, as dead trees begin to fall and beetle kill management is implemented. Researchers place GPS collars on elk and monitor their movement. They also ask hunters to carry GPS units with them to monitor their movement as well.
To date, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation provided $62,000 in grant funding to assist the effort. RMEF volunteers also assisted with the initial capture of elk.
Go here to find more information about the study.