The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will perform helicopter surveys this month to inventory and monitor elk populations throughout northeastern California. Flights will be conducted throughout November in portions of Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen and Shasta counties.

CDFW utilizes a variety of survey methods to regularly monitor big game population size, distribution, demographics and trends over time. In open habitats, aerial surveys provide an efficient and rapid method of data collection, affording CDFW biologists the ability to cover larger areas in relatively shorter time periods.

CDFW scientists use the survey data to estimate the total population size of elk herds in different hunt zones or management units. This information helps wildlife managers better understand population performance relative to a variety of factors such as habitat quality, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat fragmentation. Results are also used to make regulated harvest recommendations to the California Fish and Game Commission, which is the state regulatory authority that adopts tag quotas, hunting seasons and zone boundaries.

Big game hunters and other members of the public are encouraged to participate in the commission’s annual regulatory cycles. Information regarding upcoming meetings, including dates, locations, background documents and virtual meeting links are available at the California Fish and Game Commission website.