Wyoming’s Elk feed ground Debate: Controversy, Management & the Future
Wyoming is home to more than 120,000 elk, making it one of the most significant elk populations in North America.
Managing that herd across an entire state is both complex and controversial, and one of the most debated issues is the winter feeding of elk.
For those who are unfamiliar, Wyoming currently operates 22 state elk feed grounds, and the federal government manages the well-known National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole. While western Wyoming offers vast amounts of healthy summer and fall habitat, our winter range has been heavily fragmented by residential development, highways, and livestock operations. Without supplemental winter feeding, large portions of the elk herd would face habitat shortages, substantial winter mortality, and higher levels of conflict with private landowners and cattle operations.
To maintain a hunt-able elk population and reduce agricultural conflict, winter feed grounds have become a critical management tool in western Wyoming.
We originally filmed and released this in-depth video on the feed ground system in November of 2020, and the issue has only grown more urgent.
Recently, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) has taken steps that could jeopardize the long-term future of these feed grounds.
In addition, WGFD has seen the departure of several key agency personnel who were strong advocates for maintaining the feed ground system. Their absence raises serious concerns for the future of elk management in western Wyoming and could have lasting impacts on elk hunting opportunity.
We encourage you to watch or rewatch our Wyoming Elk Feed Grounds video to better understand what's at stake. This issue impacts hunters, wildlife managers, ranchers, and anyone who cares about the future of Wyoming's elk populations.
We will continue to follow this topic closely and provide updates through our monthly newsletter as the situation develops.
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