HELENA, Mont. (AP) — State wildlife biologists plan to radio collar 50 cow elk in the Missouri River Breaks area and track the animals for two years to find out where they go during hunting season as part of an effort to better manage their numbers.

Officials with the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks say the elk populations have been greater than the objectives set by the Missouri River Breaks Elk Working Group, even with the issuing of a "liberal" number of cow and elk licenses.

FWP Malta-area biologist Scott Thompson tells the Independent Record (http://bit.ly/V9YAOW ) that elk seem to seek out secure habitat during hunting season. He says the study seeks to learn if they're being harbored on private property or just more difficult to find on public lands.

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Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com