Wyoming wildlife officials introduce draft elk feeding plan

Wyoming wildlife officials have introduced a detailed plan for review to scale back elk and bison feeding days by 50%.

Jackson Hole News & Guide reports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially released the draft “step-down” plan Monday.

Wildlife officials say the plan was intended to reduce elk numbers and make the animals more reliant on native vegetation which includes strategies to wean elk off alfalfa.

Officials say the plan details feeding the elk later and ending the alfalfa handouts earlier to draw fewer elk to feedgrounds on the National Elk Refuge north of Jackson.

Officials say the plan is not open to being altered through the current public review process, but an accompanying environmental assessment is.

Deadline for comments are due to the refuge by Oct. 30.

AP Only 2019