Elk herd migrating late from park to refuge
By Cory Hatch, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
October 31, 2008
An abundance of natural food in Grand Teton National Park has kept many elk in the park and off precious winter forage on the south end of the National Elk Refuge, according to government scientists.
A limited-range weapons hunt that targets elk that move onto the south end of the refuge in the early days of the elk migration is also helping.
“At this time last year, we had on average about 1,500 elk on the south end of the refuge,” said refuge biologist Eric Cole. “Obviously our numbers are much lower this year.”
On Oct. 22, two hunters killed elk on the south end, causing 100 to 200 elk to flee to the park. The disturbance left only 29 animals on the south end.
“Historically, they would come down and stay here because they had no reason to leave,” Cole said.
So far this year, hunters have reported 32 elk killed on the refuge. Cole said the number is likely low because some hunters have not yet reported their kills to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Bison have largely avoided the south end of the refuge since the start of the bison hunt in early September. Hunters have reported killing 42 bison on the refuge. Seventy-six animals have been harvested on the refuge and in Bridger-Teton National Forest combined.
Officials say a cold, rainy spring helped keep forage levels on par with the historical average. Last year, forage production was down about 30 percent.
Wildlife managers with the refuge, Wyoming Game and Fish and Grand Teton National Park are trying to preserve forage on the south end of the refuge as well as reduce the size of the elk and bison herds. The goal is to reduce the amount of time the animals spend on artificial feed during the winter in hopes of reducing the risk of diseases like brucellosis and chronic wasting disease.
