Supplemental feeding ends at National Elk Refuge
Supplemental feeding of elk is ending for the season at the National Elk Refuge in northwest Wyoming.
The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports the end of feeding Monday is two weeks later than average. But the supplemental program’s duration was about normal because it didn’t start until Feb. 6, which is 10 days later than usual.
Animals on the refuge seemed to weather the historically snowy and colder-than-usual midwinter just fine.
Biologist Eric Cole says mortality was low and elk were inclined to stay put at the feeding areas on the refuge.
Meanwhile, several Jackson Hole feedgrounds the Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages have either already stopped operations for the season or are nearing the end.