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Wapiti count at 11,008
Harsh winter makes for prime conditions for elk census.
By Rebecca Huntington
Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists and others counted 11,008 elk in the Jackson Herd, observing most of the animals concentrated on feed grounds and in willow bottoms due to a harsh winter.
The annual census tops last year’s count of 10,008 for the herd that winters on the National Elk Refuge, in the Gros Ventre River drainage and areas north. The preliminary numbers give a glimpse at the herd size and winter conditions, but is not the last word on the census, biologists said.
When they’re done using a computer model to account for animals that may have been missed, Game and Fish expects to see a decline from the estimate of 13,000 animals in the herd at this time last year. Figures give biologists a guideline to use when setting hunting seasons and also offer valuable information on the composition of the population.
This year, snow forced more elk lower to where feed was being distributed on the refuge and three state-run feed grounds up the Gros Ventre.
“We didn’t see as many elk in the upland native winter ranges as we do in other years,” said Game and Fish biologist Doug Brimeyer.
During the annual classification count in late February, crews counted 6,730 elk on feed lines on the National Elk Refuge and only 750 elk dispersed on native range east of the refuge. In contrast, during the previous year, crews counted only 3,300 elk on feed and nearly 2,400 elk dispersed on native range next to the refuge, Brimeyer said.
The total number of refuge elk counted this year was 7,480, compared to 5,700 last year.
Biologists observed 3,200 elk on three state-run feed grounds in the Gros Ventre River drainage, up from 2,900 the previous year. Meanwhile, 579 elk grazed on native range in the Gros Ventre, down from 1,400 a year ago, he said.
That count puts the Gros Ventre tally at 3,779 this year, down from 4,300 last year.
A combination of heavy snowfall and crusty layers, which make it tougher for elk to reach natural forage, has sent animals to lower elevations and feed lines in search of a meal. Those conditions made it easier to count elk this winter, Brimeyer said. Although crews counted 11,008 elk in the Jackson herd, an increase over last year’s tally of 10,008, Brimeyer attributed the higher figure to elk distribution and counting conditions – not a higher population.
Brimeyer estimated Mon-day that the computer model will indicate that another 1,000 elk went unseen. Once those numbers are computed, Brimeyer said he expects to see an overall decline in the population estimate.
The Jackson Herd makes up only a portion of the elk that summer and winter in and around the valley. The Fall Creek Herd occupies areas west and south of Wilson and animals that winter near Hoback Junction. Throughout Wyoming, Game and Fish has a goal of approximately 83,000 elk, and numbers have been above that objective in recent years.
Game and Fish counts the animals by spreading feed by truck or sled, then returning for the census as the animals are eating. Biologists also fly over areas surrounding feed grounds to count animals there.
Last year’s estimate put the Jackson Herd population at 13,000. Game and Fish has been setting hunting seasons to reduce numbers to achieve the state’s population objective of 11,000 elk. In addition to hunting seasons, Brimeyer expects harsh winter conditions and predators to further reduce herd numbers, he said Monday.
As an example of the conditions big game animals face this winter, Brimeyer said he witnessed a weakened bighorn sheep taken down by coyotes during a census flight.
“That’s the second time I’ve seen that from the air,” Brimeyer said.
Those conditions also could be contributing to lower calf survival rates, he said. Biologists counted 22 elk calves per 100 cows in the herd, down from 26 per 100 a year ago. With fewer calves surviving, the overall herd numbers will likely continue to decline, he said.
As calves and adult elk have a harder time finding forage, they become easier prey, he said. Motor vehicles become mechanical predators as animals move closer to roads in search of food and unwittingly step into oncoming traffic. The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation counted 37 mule deer, 5 elk and 3 moose killed by cars on Teton County roads in January. Those figures represent an undercount, since not all animal collisions are reported, according to Game and Fish.
Wildlife might get some relief from balmy weather over the weekend, which opened up bare spots on hillsides, making forage available further from roads, Brimeyer said.
“The warm winds we’ve had the past couple of days have been a blessing for a lot of the wildlife,” Brimeyer said.
Harsh winter makes for prime conditions for elk census.
By Rebecca Huntington
Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists and others counted 11,008 elk in the Jackson Herd, observing most of the animals concentrated on feed grounds and in willow bottoms due to a harsh winter.
The annual census tops last year’s count of 10,008 for the herd that winters on the National Elk Refuge, in the Gros Ventre River drainage and areas north. The preliminary numbers give a glimpse at the herd size and winter conditions, but is not the last word on the census, biologists said.
When they’re done using a computer model to account for animals that may have been missed, Game and Fish expects to see a decline from the estimate of 13,000 animals in the herd at this time last year. Figures give biologists a guideline to use when setting hunting seasons and also offer valuable information on the composition of the population.
This year, snow forced more elk lower to where feed was being distributed on the refuge and three state-run feed grounds up the Gros Ventre.
“We didn’t see as many elk in the upland native winter ranges as we do in other years,” said Game and Fish biologist Doug Brimeyer.
During the annual classification count in late February, crews counted 6,730 elk on feed lines on the National Elk Refuge and only 750 elk dispersed on native range east of the refuge. In contrast, during the previous year, crews counted only 3,300 elk on feed and nearly 2,400 elk dispersed on native range next to the refuge, Brimeyer said.
The total number of refuge elk counted this year was 7,480, compared to 5,700 last year.
Biologists observed 3,200 elk on three state-run feed grounds in the Gros Ventre River drainage, up from 2,900 the previous year. Meanwhile, 579 elk grazed on native range in the Gros Ventre, down from 1,400 a year ago, he said.
That count puts the Gros Ventre tally at 3,779 this year, down from 4,300 last year.
A combination of heavy snowfall and crusty layers, which make it tougher for elk to reach natural forage, has sent animals to lower elevations and feed lines in search of a meal. Those conditions made it easier to count elk this winter, Brimeyer said. Although crews counted 11,008 elk in the Jackson herd, an increase over last year’s tally of 10,008, Brimeyer attributed the higher figure to elk distribution and counting conditions – not a higher population.
Brimeyer estimated Mon-day that the computer model will indicate that another 1,000 elk went unseen. Once those numbers are computed, Brimeyer said he expects to see an overall decline in the population estimate.
The Jackson Herd makes up only a portion of the elk that summer and winter in and around the valley. The Fall Creek Herd occupies areas west and south of Wilson and animals that winter near Hoback Junction. Throughout Wyoming, Game and Fish has a goal of approximately 83,000 elk, and numbers have been above that objective in recent years.
Game and Fish counts the animals by spreading feed by truck or sled, then returning for the census as the animals are eating. Biologists also fly over areas surrounding feed grounds to count animals there.
Last year’s estimate put the Jackson Herd population at 13,000. Game and Fish has been setting hunting seasons to reduce numbers to achieve the state’s population objective of 11,000 elk. In addition to hunting seasons, Brimeyer expects harsh winter conditions and predators to further reduce herd numbers, he said Monday.
As an example of the conditions big game animals face this winter, Brimeyer said he witnessed a weakened bighorn sheep taken down by coyotes during a census flight.
“That’s the second time I’ve seen that from the air,” Brimeyer said.
Those conditions also could be contributing to lower calf survival rates, he said. Biologists counted 22 elk calves per 100 cows in the herd, down from 26 per 100 a year ago. With fewer calves surviving, the overall herd numbers will likely continue to decline, he said.
As calves and adult elk have a harder time finding forage, they become easier prey, he said. Motor vehicles become mechanical predators as animals move closer to roads in search of food and unwittingly step into oncoming traffic. The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation counted 37 mule deer, 5 elk and 3 moose killed by cars on Teton County roads in January. Those figures represent an undercount, since not all animal collisions are reported, according to Game and Fish.
Wildlife might get some relief from balmy weather over the weekend, which opened up bare spots on hillsides, making forage available further from roads, Brimeyer said.
“The warm winds we’ve had the past couple of days have been a blessing for a lot of the wildlife,” Brimeyer said.
