JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. (AP) — National Elk Refuge officials say more elk have finally begun wandering onto the refuge now that the fall hunting season has ended.
Refuge biologist Eric Cole says the high elk count of the season was Friday, with about 3,600 elk on the land. That’s far below the 5,000 elk average for this time of year.
The refuge holds a fall hunting season on part of the refuge in an effort to preserve forage in the area. Officials hope that, in turn, will delay the onset of supplemental winter feeding for the animals.
Cole says there’s still abundant forage on the refuge, and so far, it’s not covered up by deep snow.
