Calf/fawn recruitment vs COVID

[DenverCountryBoy]

Seems like a lot more people are getting out on trails, and not just on the weekends like previous years.

Colorado residents still hiking, exercising at U.S. Forest Service trails

While many campgrounds are closed, trails remain open and many Coloradans are taking advantage of that despite Gov. Polis' stay-at-home order

www.coloradoan.com

Do you think the sustained pressure will affect the cervid populations?

 

[Felix40]

I dont know about colorado but the forest is more empty than usual here.

 

[ewade07]

Seems like a lot more people are getting out on trails, and not just on the weekends like previous years.

Colorado residents still hiking, exercising at U.S. Forest Service trails

While many campgrounds are closed, trails remain open and many Coloradans are taking advantage of that despite Gov. Polis' stay-at-home order

www.coloradoan.com

Do you think the sustained pressure will affect the cervid populations?

I would say most likely. I'm no scientist but the vast majority of people underestimate the effects humans have on cervid numbers, especially elk. Humans have moved into wintering grounds for elk, then on top of that they are constantly pushing them. I've seen the catastrophy that is CO recreation. Humans everywhere all the time. But, no one wants to say its human caused, they all use a scape goat.

 

[rob86jeep]

I don't think it would really affect them if 1000 people hike a popular trail vs 10,000 people in a month. Animals understand where people commonly are and an increase in common areas probably doesn't do much. Just my opinion.

 

[Poser]

I’m going to guess that the wildlife closures are being violated left and right. The good news is that I suspect the animals have already largely moved out of the wintering grounds and are beginning to move with receding snow lines.