The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is planning to capture numerous elk and pronghorn antelope in northern California over the next two weeks.

Under the direction of CDFW veterinary staff, CDFW wildlife biologists will lead the captures. Capture crews will locate elk and pronghorn via helicopter, capture them with net guns and restrain the captured animals for tagging and collaring.

From Feb. 6-8, CDFW will capture as many as 10 adult Roosevelt elk in Humboldt County in northwestern California. From Feb. 9-13, CDFW will capture up to 22 Rocky Mountain elk in Shasta, Lassen, Modoc and Siskiyou counties in northeastern California. Pronghorn captures are scheduled for Feb. 14-15, also in northeastern California.

The elk will be captured on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) as well as on private properties with permission from landowners. CDFW is grateful to the USFS, NPS, timberland owners and other private landowners that are providing access to their lands for the captures.

Each elk will be ear tagged and fitted with a GPS collar. The collars will provide detailed information about elk for approximately five years. The information will enhance CDFW’s knowledge of current elk distribution, abundance, survival and habitat use.

For additional information regarding captures in Shasta, Lassen, Modoc or Siskiyou counties, please contact CDFW wildlife biologist Erin Nigon at (530) 598-6011. For information regarding captures in Humboldt County, please contact CDFW wildlife biologist Carrington Hilson at (707) 502-4078. For information on pronghorn captures, please contact biologist Richard Shinn at (530) 233-3581