Wyoming Game and Fish Department Releases Draft Elk Feedgrounds Management Plan for Public Review

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has released a draft elk feedgrounds management plan for public review. The plan is designed to guide the department's overall, long-term approach to elk management as it pertains to the 22 Game and Fish-operated elk feedgrounds in western Wyoming.

The plan has three main goals:

Reduce elk's reliance on feedgrounds:

The plan aims to reduce the number of elk that rely on feedgrounds by increasing the availability of natural winter forage. This will help to reduce the spread of disease and improve the overall health of the elk herd.

Increase opportunities for elk to winter away from feedgrounds:

The plan also aims to increase the number of elk that winter away from feedgrounds by providing more winter range habitat. This will help to reduce conflict between elk and livestock, as well as the risk of elk-vehicle collisions.

Maintain current elk population objectives and associated hunting opportunity:

The plan is designed to ensure that the elk herd remains healthy and sustainable, while also providing adequate hunting opportunity for Wyoming residents.

The plan is open for public comment until August 1, 2023. The WGFD will hold a series of public meetings to discuss the plan throughout the summer.

The draft plan has been met with mixed reactions from stakeholders. Some groups, such as the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, support the plan and believe that it is a necessary step to improve the health of the elk herd. Others, such as the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, are concerned that the plan will not do enough to reduce conflict between elk and livestock.

The WGFD is committed to working with all stakeholders to develop a plan that is in the best interests of the elk herd and the people of Wyoming. The public comment period is an important opportunity for everyone to have their say on the plan.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department's draft elk feedgrounds management plan is a significant step forward in the department's efforts to manage the elk herd in a sustainable and responsible way. The plan addresses the concerns of many stakeholders, and it provides a framework for reducing elk's reliance on feedgrounds and increasing opportunities for elk to winter away from feedgrounds.

The plan is not without its challenges. The WGFD will need to work with landowners to provide more winter range habitat for elk. The department will also need to address the concerns of livestock producers about the risk of elk-livestock conflict.

Despite the challenges, the WGFD's draft elk feedgrounds management plan is a positive step forward for the elk herd in Wyoming. The plan provides a framework for managing the herd in a way that is in the best interests of the elk, the people of Wyoming, and the environment.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department's draft elk feedgrounds management plan is a comprehensive and thoughtful document that addresses the concerns of many stakeholders. The plan provides a framework for reducing elk's reliance on feedgrounds and increasing opportunities for elk to winter away from feedgrounds. The plan is not without its challenges, but it is a positive step forward for the elk herd in Wyoming.

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