JACKSON — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is beginning a new study aimed at tracking one of North America’s largest and most renowned elk populations — the Jackson Elk Herd.
In collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a helicopter will be used in the coming weeks to capture and collar elk over several days in and around the National Elk Refuge. The exact timing is dependent on suitable weather conditions. A professional wildlife capture crew will capture cow elk using a net from the helicopter, while bulls will be darted. After collecting biological samples and attaching GPS collars, the elk will be released.
During winter, high elevation and deep snowpack limit the natural winter range for this herd. Each winter, approximately 80–90% of the herd is supplementally fed at state-run feedgrounds or at the NER. While these elk comprise one herd, in the spring they split into four segments and begin their migrations, following the greenest, most nutritious forage back to their summer ranges.
Migration distances vary. Some elk travel more than 60 miles to reach the Teton Wilderness and Yellowstone National Park. Others migrate medium distances to Grand Teton National Park or the Gros Ventre Mountain Range. In recent decades, a growing number of elk have traveled shorter distances, sometimes only a few miles, to spend their summers in southern GTNP and on private lands. By collaring a random sample of the herd, wildlife managers will be able to track the number of elk that came from each area when they return in the winter, monitor survival rates for each segment and adjust hunting practices to help maintain a balanced herd.
Decades of research have established a strong foundation of knowledge about the Jackson Elk Herd. However, these existing data are insufficient to guide management under today’s changing conditions. This new study will build on the foundation to better understand and manage the herd.
During the elk collaring efforts, informative signs will be posted around the NER and Game and Fish and USFWS staff will be available to answer questions.
Funding for this project has been generously provided by:
- Wyoming Governor’s Big Game License Coalition.
- Knobloch Family Foundation.
- Wyldlife for Tomorrow.
- Teton Conservation District.
- Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association.
- Jackson Hole Outfitters and Guides Association.
- Dubois Outfitters and Guides Association.
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
- Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Fund.
For more information about the study, visit this link or contact the Jackson Game and Fish Regional Office at (307) 733-2321.
