JACKSON, Wyo. — National Elk Refuge (NER) Senior Wildlife Biologist Eric Cole shared with Buckrail this past winter’s biological update, and more recent species observations.
On March 29, supplemental feeding ended two weeks earlier than usual, in order to minimize the spread of disease. Other than the 10 winters when no feeding occurred on the Refuge, 2024 was the shortest feed season on record. The feed season ran from March 4 until March 29 (a total of 26 days). For historical comparison, the long-term average feed season length is 65 days.
According to the Refuge, the shortened feed season did not result in unusually high elk mortality. To date, the Refuge has documented 102 total elk mortalities (39 of which were calves) during the winter period. This is roughly 1.5% of the 6,800 elk that wintered on the Refuge this season, which is close to the Refuge’s long-term average winter elk mortality rate, and “is remarkably low for a wintering elk population,” Cole said in the announcement.
Cole tallied the current ungulate numbers and distribution located in the standard 11,400 acre survey area on April 5. This survey area roughly corresponds to the southern half of NER, where animals are easily observed from the ground. Wildlife numbers totaled 6,475 elk, 160 bison, 39 bighorn sheep and zero pronghorn, deer and moose.
Cole advises residents to be on the lookout for migrating wildlife.
“As snow continues to melt, I anticipate increasing elk movements from the Refuge to the north and northwest,” Cole wrote in the report. “Drivers on Highway 89 should be cautious.”
The NER also reported the first signs of spring with first species observations of the season. Refuge staff observed in March and early April, horned larks, mountain bluebirds, song sparrows, western meadowlarks and uinta ground squirrels.
The Feeding Reduction Step-Down Plan (SDP) for the Refuge has been implemented for the intended five year time period, and a complete summary report documenting SDP effects will be released by this summer.
