Jackson Hole is home to a large variety of wildlife. Deer and elk are the ones that residents like having around, but it is not surprising that with so many of these tasty animals around that there are predators. Bears, mountain lions, and more recently, wolves have all come to Jackson Hole.
Three to four wolves have been roaming the subdivisions in the Jackson Hole area. If the wolves have made the residential areas their territory, and are not threatened by humans, there could be some serious issues. The U.S. Fish and Game Service are going to try and tranquilize the wolves, and then give them a lethal injection.
Wyoming and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials had agreed that the comment period would end in January for the delisting of the wolves in Wyoming. After some recent moves by the Wyoming legislature and the Game and Fish Commission to ratify the plan the U.S.
Wyoming landowners can choose to open their land to the public for hunting. The program is called Private Lands, Public Wildlife program. In previous years the landowner at Bixby Ranch east of Glenrock participated in the program. This year they have opted out of the program for unknown reasons at this time. This area usually offered 30 pronghorn licenses and fall turkey licenses.
If everything goes as planned, the wolf will be delisted in Wyoming this fall, except inside Yellowstone National Park. That means it will be up to the state of Wyoming to manage the population at sustainable levels. If the wolf population gets reduced too much, the wolves will be placed back on the endangered species list - under federal control.
When planning the best bear management, many factors need to be taken into consideration. Studies conducted in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ontario, looked at some of the correlations with the bear complaints, and their hunting season. Increasing the number of black bear permits, did not have any affect on the nuisance complaints.
For most people living in Montana, especially in areas surrounding Yellowstone, they know they have to be bear aware. However, there are many people who come from out of state to the gorgeous offerings of Montana and Yellowstone National Park. So much undeveloped and natural land, but this also brings the dangers of the wild. Last year 2 hikers were killed in Yellowstone, one after coming upon a sow and her cubs twice, and the other is still uncertain. He did know he was in bear territory though, as rangers had warned him the day before he was killed.
The National Elk Refuge located near Jackson, Wyoming is currently the winter home to over 6,000 elk and around 600 bison. The animals migrated later this season because of the late spring run off, and they were able to forage for food longer.
