Wild stat i read.

[Hilljackoutlaw]

On the refuge in Jackson as of April 11th 13% of all calves that wintered there died. That's triple the average. If it's triple on a place like the refuge I don't want to know what it was in other areas where they aren't fed.

 

[howl]

So burn points now or wait several years?

 

[Bambistew]

I saw that stat as well and wondered if it was right. I think the average mortality is about 7-8% for elk calves, and about 60-65%? From birth?

4% average on the refuge seems really low to me, but maybe it's not?

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

I saw that stat as well and wondered if it was right. I think the average mortality is about 7-8% for elk calves, and about 60-65%? From birth?

4% average on the refuge seems really low to me, but maybe it's not?

I thought same thing. But I'm guessing they have pretty good numbers from the refuge since it's monitored so closely.

 

[manitou1]

So burn points now or wait several years?

Thanks for your concern...

 

[WYWINCHESTER]

Did they tell you HOW they died?? There is a pack of wolves that live on the refuge or very near by.

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

Did they tell you HOW they died?? There is a pack of wolves that live on the refuge or very near by.

Not in that article, but weather has a huge factor on how many are killed by wolves. So it's all tied to the rough winter regardless.

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

Death and (minimal) decay on the National Elk Refuge

The dead elk calf was tucked away behind the National Elk Refuge’s feed barn, its eyes and tongue picked clean.

www.jhnewsandguide.com

 

[Hunting Wife]

Sounds fairly normal to me given the winter. Spent several winters down there doing mortality and disease work.

A little historical background can be found in this document. It’s a pretty quick and simple read, in case some might be interested.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337155159_31_October_2019_National_Elk_Refuge_Biological_Update_elk_winter_mortality

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

I imagine in coming years the wolf population will take a hit in response and deer and elk will make a comeback after that.