National Elk Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Wetlands on the National Elk Refuge
Map showing the location of National Elk Refuge
Map showing the location of National Elk Refuge
Map showing the location of National Elk Refuge
Map showing the location of National Elk Refuge
LocationTeton County, Wyoming, United States
Nearest cityJackson, WY
Coordinates43°28′49″N 110°44′53″W / 43.48028°N 110.74806°W / 43.48028; -110.74806
Area25,000 acres (100 km2)
Established1912
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteNational Elk Refuge

The National Elk Refuge is a Wildlife Refuge located in Jackson Hole in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It was created in 1912 to protect habitat and provide sanctuary for one of the largest elk (also known as wapiti) herds. With a total of 24,700 acres (10,000 ha), the refuge borders the town of Jackson, Wyoming on the southwest, Bridger-Teton National Forest on the east and Grand Teton National Park on the north. It is home to an average of 7,500 elk each winter. The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The refuge's elk migrate from as far away as southern Yellowstone National Park. Historically, they migrated to the present location of the refuge and further south into southwestern Wyoming during the fall, wintering on grassy plains that were both sheltered from weather and that maintained less snowfall or snow depth than surrounding lands. During the spring, the herd would follow the retreating snows and growing grasses back into the Yellowstone National Park region. The original size of the elk herd has been estimated to have been in excess of 25,000. By the end of the 19th century, the town of Jackson had developed on important winter range, blocking off some of the migration routes used by the elk. The elk herd was severely reduced in size due to the hostile climate and lack of food supply, in addition to hunting pressures by both homesteaders and surrounding Native American tribes (Bannock, Eastern Shoshone, Northern Shoshone, Crow, Salish).

Elk during winter on the refuge

A movement to protect the remaining herd and establish greater numbers was commenced in the early 1900s. When the Miller homestead was sold for $45,000 to the federal government, the refuge was established.

The elk herd survives the hard winters of Jackson Hole through a supplementary feeding program and a lottery-based, permitted hunting program. The elk have antlers which are shed each year- the Boy Scouts of America have been collecting the antlers under permit since 1968[1] and selling them at auction, under agreement that 75% of the proceeds are returned to the refuge, where they are used for irrigation of the grasses to maintain maximum natural food supply. Ten to eleven thousand pounds (4,500 to 5,000 kg) of antlers are auctioned each year. The increase in value has resulted in a commensurate rise in antler theft, and the 2017 auction set a new record price of $18.79/lb.[2]

A group of bison trudge across the landscape at the National Elk Refuge.

The refuge also provides horse drawn sleigh rides to the public during the winter months so that visitors have the opportunity to see portions of the herd up close.

The furthest consistent migration of elk to the refuge is currently from the southern portion of Yellowstone National Park,[3] making it the second-longest ungulate migration in the lower 48 states. (The migration of pronghorn between the Green River basin and Jackson Hole is longer).

The refuge is nearly 25,000 acres (10,000 ha)[4] of meadows and marshes along the valley floor, sagebrush and rock outcroppings along the mountain foothills. The largest single herd of bison under federal management, comprising 1,000 plus individuals, also winter on the refuge.[5] Bighorn sheep, along with pronghorn, mule deer can be found. Rare sightings of wolf packs and grizzly bears have occurred, while coyotes and red foxes are more common. The most abundant birds include red-winged blackbirds, magpies, crows and ravens, along with trumpeter swans, which can be found along Flat Creek, which flows out of the refuge south into the town of Jackson. A total of 47 mammal species and 147 bird species have been documented on the refuge.

The refuge has a lower elevation and much milder climate than the rest of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is why so many animals are drawn to winter on it. Most of it is snow-covered from November until March. Snowfalls are followed by sunny days, when some of the snow melts temporarily. South-facing slopes are free of snow for most of the winter.

References

  1. ↑ "World Famous Elk Antler Auction - Boy Scouts of America". elkfest.org. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Annual elk antler auction nets high price per pound - National Elk Refuge - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  3. ↑ Smith, Bruce L.; Robbins, Russell L. (1994). Migrations and Management of the Jackson Elk Herd (PDF). Resource Publication 199 (Report). DOI. ISSN 0163-4801. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  4. ↑ Holden, Courtney (August 25, 2023). "National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole". www.yellowstonepark.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  5. ↑ Koshmrl, Mike. "Jackson bison herd learns to avoid hunters by staying close to Grand Teton National Park". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Wyoming News Exchange. Retrieved July 1, 2021.

Bibliography

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