Auxillery Elk Feeding

For the past few weeks, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has established two temporary emergency elk feeding operations in northwestern Wyoming as a result of the recent severe winter conditions and potential for elk damage and livestock commingling.  One of those sites is in Buffalo Valley north of Jackson and the other is in Star Valley.  Approximately 200 elk are using the Buffalo Valley area, and another 50-60 are being fed north of Afton. Department officials point out that although established elk feed grounds are effective in keeping most elk out of cattle feed lines, Game and Fish personnel are routinely challenged with moving elk away from private lands throughout northwest Wyoming during the winter months, especially during heavy snow years.  They say emergency feeding under similar conditions occurred at these locations in 2008.