In this conversation, Nick Madsen discusses his experiences trapping elk for disease testing in Utah. He shares the challenges of working in winter conditions and the consequences of not wearing appropriate clothing. The purpose of trapping elk is to test for diseases such as brucellosis and chronic wasting disease, as well as collect data on genetics and interconnectedness. The focus is primarily on adult cows, as they are more likely to carry diseases. The conversation also touches on tagging and monitoring elk bulls, as well as the methods used for trapping elk. Cold weather poses additional challenges for trapping elk, such as the need for water and the impact of low temperatures. Takeaways * Trapping elk for disease testing is an important practice in Utah to monitor for diseases like brucellosis and chronic wasting disease. * Data collected from trapped elk includes genetic information, interconnectedness, and parasite loads. * The focus of disease testing is primarily on adult cows, as they are more likely to carry diseases. * Elk bulls are also tagged and monitored for data on dispersal and movement. * Trapping elk in cold weather presents challenges such as the need for water and the impact of low temperatures.

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