JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Hunters and game managers alike have observed for some time dwindling numbers of elk in the Gros Ventre. The latest counts confirm: elk have simply left the drainage. Almost completely.
It’s no secret elk have been vacating their traditional winter range in the Gros Ventre drainage northeast of Jackson in increasing numbers over the past five years or so. Exactly why is debatable but certainly wolves are having an effect. Some of the largest packs ever observed in the wild (22 or more) have been seen roaming the Gros Ventre Wilderness.
Some of the elk have perished but since current counts show that the overall population for the Jackson elk herd has not changed, Game and Fish officials suggest the elk have merely moved out of the Gros Ventre to winter in other places.
The department collared a total of 62 cow elk during recent winters in the Gros Ventre. The movement data from these animals shows that most of the elk are migrating down drainage to the National Elk Refuge, with other smaller portions going to wintering areas in the Upper Green, Hoback Canyon, and near Dubois.
Game and Fish managers say they can’t be sure of the reason for these unprecedented movements, but have suggested it could be due to pressure from wolves. Although data does not show that wolves are killing an excessive number of elk.
This year, only 86 elk were counted in the Gros Ventre during the annual February aerial survey. Recent collar data and observations suggest there have been movements of elk from the refuge back to the Gros Ventre.
Game and Fish managers are monitoring elk movements through remote cameras, increased weekly flights and plan to deploy additional GPS collars on Gros Ventre elk. WGFD managers are also considering possible increased wolf hunting quotas for the Gros Ventre area.
