Ungulate Counts and Migration Patterns
The National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming, released its latest biological update on January 10, 2025. Weekly counts on January 7 showed 6,420 elk within the standard survey area. No pronghorn, deer, or moose were observed, while 38 bighorn sheep were counted. Notably, although 200 bison briefly appeared on the Refuge on January 4, they had moved out of the survey area by January 6.
For monitoring, 46 elk carry GPS collars, with 43 of them (94%) currently located on the southern half of the Refuge as of January 8, suggesting that the bulk of seasonal migration for elk is complete for this winter.
Current Snow and Forage Conditions
Snow depth at the Refuge Headquarters was measured at 6.0 inches on January 10, which is below the long-term average of 8.5 inches. Despite the lower depth, the snow is dense due to recent freeze/thaw cycles. At four key index sites, forage availability was assessed on January 8, averaging 695 lbs. per acre, which remains above the threshold for recommending supplemental feeding.
Strategic Decision Making Report Released
In collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), NER has analyzed five management alternatives for bison and elk under the Strategic Decision Making process. These alternatives range from continuing current feeding practices to completely stopping them based on certain conditions like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) prevalence. The analysis covers impacts on wildlife numbers, disease prevalence, habitat, human-wildlife conflicts, and economic considerations.
The full USGS report, titled “Decision Analysis in Support of the National Elk Refuge Bison and Elk Management Plan,” is now available online. It includes chapters on various aspects like elk and CWD dynamics, elk distribution, bison population dynamics, and socio-economic impacts.
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