Grand Teton park closes hunting area due to grizzly bears

Grand Teton National Park has closed a popular elk hunting area after a park biologist spotted grizzly bears feeding on the carcasses of three elk, at least one that was killed by a hunter.

Park spokeswoman Denise Germann tells the Jackson Hole News & Guide the Blacktail Butte-area closure will remain in effect indefinitely, until the carcasses have been consumed.

Germann says the park’s bear management specialist, Kate Wilmot, hiked to the butte’s crest with colleagues and saw two grizzlies feeding on three elk carcasses and believed there were more grizzlies.

At least one of the carcasses appeared to have been killed by a hunter but not yet retrieved. Germann encouraged hunters to haven’t recovered elk carcasses in the Blacktail Butte area to call park dispatchers to report their locations.