Montana FWP asking hunters to help in research

Billings, Mont. (AP) – When Montana’s general big game hunting
season kicks off, the state Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
is asking hunters to help on some animal research projects.

Elk hunters are being asked to collect blood samples from any of
the animals they harvest.

Blood testing kits are available at most trailhead kiosks or FWP
offices.

Officials are also analyzing chronic wasting disease and would
like hunters to drop off moose, deer, and elk heads at game
processing and check stations or barrels at FWP offices. The data
collected will help detect the disease early on if or when it
reaches Montana’s borders.

And the agency reminds hunters to check updates on wolf quotas
daily.