Wyoming To Enter Fray

Interesting item involving feedlots for elk on the Bridger-Teton N.F. Valid arguments of both sides, seems to me. The “feedlots are needed, proponents say, because human activities have reduced the elk’s winter range.” An overpopulation of elk at Mt. St. Helens National Monument also are being fed. There isn’t enough forage to sustain the herd, which has dramatically increased since the 1980 eruption created new habitat for them, but photos of starving elk caused a public outcry. So, the elk get food deliveries in the winter months.

Similar argument can be made for active forest management: Humans have disrupted fire cycles, developed forests, etc., so management is needed to maintain forest health. As opposed to letting nature take its course.

Steve

 

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3 thoughts on “Wyoming To Enter Fray”

  1. There are two sides to the arguement. On the Sawtooth NF about 30 or more years ago a large herd of elk got stranded in a valley due to deep snow.. They needed to cross a not too high mountain range to reach the desert. Feeding became an emergency option. The next year the elk liked where they were fed so stayed. Now, none of the elk know there is winter range acorss the mountain so feeding has become a permanent fixture. Without it, all the elk would likely perish. How do you now teach elk to move one? Maybe a light snow year will give them the option to move if they do not have a plate in front of them.

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