Record amounts of snow are complicating operations at the National Elk Refuge this season. The snowpack depth has been 2 1/2 to 3 times the average on the refuge since early February, and it currently measures 26 inches at the Refuge Headquarters monitoring site. Although the snow pack has settled and snow density has increased, there have been no major melting events the entire winter, which is very unusual for the Refuge. Refuge staff anticipates if the snow melts out slowly, supplemental feeding will have to continue beyond the normal end date; possibly as late as April. If it melts quickly, it could lead to major flooding on the refuge. Currently, there are 6,452 elk on the refuge feed-grounds along with 155 bison. That’s below the average count, but biologists say the number reflects an increase in the number of elk and bison wintering in other areas. Altogether, the herd-wide count reported by Wyoming Game and Fish total 9627 elk and 484 bison in Jackson Hole.
- National Elk Refuge February 2026 Biological Update: Mild Winter Persists in Jackson Hole - February 9, 2026
- Wyoming Game and Fish Hosts Workshops on Elk Feedground Management Action Plans - February 9, 2026
- Jackson Town Council Considers Unmet Housing Grant Application for S4 Flats on January 20th - January 20, 2026