Good news. Lack of feeding has kept wolves from keying on the feedlots-
In general not feeding is good regardless of wolves-
It is good news when elk don’t have to be, or simply are not fed.
Mike Jimenez, wolf coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said recently that wolves appear to not be concentrating on the Gros Ventre herds because the elk are not bunched on feedgrounds.
Louise Lasley, public lands director for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, praised the decision to keep feedgrounds closed, but said wildlife managers should use the option more often.
“Wyoming Game and Fish Department showed a willingness and ability to discard entrenched practices and showed that not feeding elk is a viable option for winter management,” she said.
Staffers with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition have been taking measurements and finding levels “are comparable to levels in studies from prior years,” she said.
“To argue that conditions this winter facilitated not feeding would be erroneous,” she said.
Rest of the story. State hasn’t fed elk at Gros Ventre feedlots. By Cory Hatch. Jackson Hole News and Guide.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
Could it be that wolves are part of the solution to weaning Wyoming elk off hay? Could they also play a role in the eventual natural burning out of brucelosis?