7. Radio Collaring

The Radio Collars are lined-up on the ground next to the vehicles. Those in the Processing Crew in charge of recording data are instructed to select the collars in order from left to right. In this particular study two different Radio Collars are being distributed throughout the study/range. Each type of Radio Collar requires specific hardware and tools. Properly fitting the Radio Collars (not too lose, not too tight) is critical.

"You have to fit each radio collar so that as the animals put weight on the collar wont become too tight, but the collar can't be too loose either, so it’s a bit of an art. If the collar is too loose they can get a hoof caught in it, or it (the collar) might bounce around and irritate the animal and in some cases a loose collar can even cause hair loss. These collars are programmed to automatically come off in three years. I’ve wondered how strange that and the whole collar thing is for the deer. They finally get used to packing around this foreign object and then one day the darn thing just up and falls off - that’s gotta be a relief." - Jeff Short, Wildlife Population Biologist.

OUTLIER PROVIDED SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS FIELD STUDY POSSIBLE.