Feedgrounds up for renewal with Bridger-Teton National Forest
• Comment deadline Jan. 16
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking the Bridger-Teton National Forest for cooperation as they renew a permit that allows operations at the Forest Park and Dell Creek elk feed grounds in western Wyoming to continue.
The Forest Park Feed ground is located near the Box Y Lodge, 33 miles south from Alpine on the Greys River Road.
The Dell Creek Feed ground is approximately four miles east on Dell Creek Road (FS Rd 30600) from Hwy 191/189, in Bondurant.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has requested a renewal permit to maintain winter elk feeding management activities within the Bridger-Teton National Forest for another 20 years.
Elk are fed hay on a daily basis from November to April based on current winter weather conditions.
Comments on the renewal will be accepted by the Bridger-Teton through Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.
Additional information and comments may be submitted under “Comment/Object on Project” at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?
Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik confirmed the state agency has asked for a renewed 20 year permit.
In Monday morning radio interview on Swift 98.7 FM/KDWY 105.3 in Star Valley and Kemmerer, the director noted the environmental impact statement for the proposal includes the options granting the 20 year permit with no further action, phasing out the feeding program over time or simply stopping the process now.
“We asked for another 20 year permit,” he said. The Game and Fish is still waiting to hear from the Forest Service on their plans.
Nesvick acknowledged the feeding program is “not a perfect scenario, but the program has continued now for “over 100 years.”
He reported that Game & Fish personnel have been advised to look for opportunities to reduce feeding where possible.
The director acknowledged that curtailing the program would have a “significant impact” on elk, stock producers and landowners in general and it could lead to increased opportunities for the spread of brucellosis on to cattle ranches.
You can hear the complete radio interview here.
