On August 17 and 18, a group sponsored by The Bluff’s, along with their chaperons, Russell MacLennan and Rod Atherton, traveled from Byers, Colorado, to participate in a CRRI Research Capture. A capture, in its basic form, may be described as a “catch and release” hunt. This is a unique event that gives the participant an opportunity to interact with wildlife while learning about elk habits, behavior, and habitat. It can be quite a challenge as you must come within twenty-five yards of the elk for use of the low-powered tranquilizer gun. The morning started with basic instructions covering events of the day and safety precautions. Then the chase was on. We searched high and low for the specific elk that were destined to be captured. Within two days each of the boys was able to dart their own elk. After the bull was sleeping peacefully, the annual antler growth was removed. The bull was then given a reversal and observed until he was on his feet and well on his way. Each participant was able to keep the antlers from the bull they tranquilized as a remembrance of their experience. Our goal, through this program, is to reach out to the next generation by offering a fun, interactive experience while teaching them about wildlife and the challenges that face the cervid population. They also learn the importance of protecting the environment and responsible stewardship while being exposed to a distinctive arena of hands-on science. If you are interested in learning more about captures, possible opportunities to participate, or would like to sponsor a youth for a future event, call Sharla at 970-749-4647.