So. It's confirmed.

The sickly elk in the mountains north of here?

Chronic wasting disease.

Craaap.

In other news, the monthly mass of paperwork is safely in the mail, we flew yet another quest for our ten radio-collared elk (finding ten of ten, but what the heck does #622 think she's doing?), and most of the gear is stripped out of the truck.

Tomorrow comes unbolting the tool box, no fun in the cold, and then a massive cleaning job, inside and out. Thursday is the long drive to strip the radio, and trade the truck in.

Oh, yeah. The little maskless heeler's anal glands are apparently impacted, leading to great pain and constipation. She is suffering, but her sister loves the late night constitutional walks through town and along the tracks.

Her with her little headlight leading the way.