National Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge lies just northeast of the Town of Jackson, Wyoming. Refuge headquarters are located at 675 E. Broadway in Jackson. The office is open year round , Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (307)733-9212.
Featured Listings: (add your listing)
National Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides by Bar T 5
A horse drawn sleigh takes you on a tour of the National Elk Refuge to view elk up close. Beautiful views of the Tetons - great activity for all ages.
(800) 772-5386
Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole - New in Spring 2008
Introducing the Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole. A 7 acre resort at the doorstep of the Elk Refuge. Your cabin is steps from the refuge, Jackson's Visitor Center & town square.
(307) 733-2357
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Anvil Motel - Just blocks to the Elk Refuge
Rooms offer cable/HBO, queen beds, western pine furniture, microwave, fridge and outdoor HOT TUB. We are lovers of big game animals, waterfowl & the tranquility of our Refuge.
(800) 234-4507
Upstream Anglers & Outdoor Adv's Wildlife Safaris
Experience the "Hole Safari" in Jackson Hole w/private guide observing & photographing incredible scenery & wildlife. We also offer wolf safaris in Yellowstone during winter.
(800) 642-8979
Sleigh Rides on the Elk Refuge
© Vertical Media
View Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride Video
About The Elk Refuge
The Refuge was created in 1912 as a result of public interest in the survival of the elk herd. The refuge provides a winter home for an average of 7,500 elk, one of the largest wintering concentrations of elk. The refuge is the only one in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service devoted primarily to elk management. Today the refuge is comprised of nearly 25,000 acres of land consisting of native grasses and other elk forage. The Refuge is comprised of meadows and marshes along the valley floor, sagebrush and rock outcroppings along the foothills. A diversity of food and shelter provides for the rich mixture of wildlife species found at the National Elk Refuge. Elk are on the refuge for about six months (November to April) and are supplementally fed for 2-3 months, depending on the severity of the weather. When snow becomes to crusty or deep, refuge managers feed pelletized alfalfa hay to the elk. Winter mortality on the refuge is about 1.5%. Elk spend summers in Grand Teton National Park (50%), the Bridger-Teton National Forest east of the park (25%), or in the southern part of Yellowstone National Park (25%).
Characteristics of Elk
Elk are ungulates (hooved animals) that belong to the deer family. Elk have a dark head, neck and legs, with a lighter brown body and cream- colored rump. Females have a darker body than the males.
Mature males have branched antlers; yearling males, called spikes, usually have unbranched antlers. Antler size indicates dominance, nutritional state and genetic fitness. Antlers are shed each year during March and April, while younger bulls shed their antlers later in the spring. New antler growth begins within a week after shedding and continues until late August when the antlers are full sized. During the peak period of growth in the summer, antlers may grow one inch per day.
Adult males weigh 550-800 pounds; adult females weigh 450-550 pounds. The breeding period known as "the rut", occurs from September through October. Calving occurs in late May and early June. Usually one calf is born; twins are very rare.
Elk are primarily grazers- they eat lush grasses and wildflowers, although when food is scarce, they will browse on woody shrubs and saplings. Elk primarily eat at dawn and dusk, and spend warm days in the cool shade of forests as they ruminate (chew their cud).
Most elk on the refuge are 3-10 years old. The oldest elk was a 30 year old female; oldest male was 18 years old.
Seasons of Elk
During Autumn males gather harems of females that they mate and zealously guard. Bulls emit a high-pitched whistling sound (bugle), followed by grunts, as part of the mating ritual. Bugling is a male dominance display that attracts females and states the rank of the male. Rival males respond by bugling back. Bulls may actually spar with challengers, after first demonstrating threat postures, then thrashing the ground with their antlers. A large percentage of the cow elk become pregnant each year.
The rut is an intense time for bulls. Dominant males expend a considerable amount of energy. The price for passing on their genes consists of entering winter with weight loss and in some instances a depleted physical condition.
Elk
© Vertical Media
Snowfall in the high country prompts the elk to move from their summer ranges to lower elevations. To reach the grasses they eat, elk paw through snow. Their feeding is hampered by deep snow or icy conditions. Throughout the fall, elk in Grand Teton and Southern Yellowstone National Park, adjacent forest areas to the north and east follow drainages and ridge lines as they funnel to wintering grounds. Migration begins in late October and is completed by mid-December.
As snow melts in early spring, elk begin to leave the refuge and return to their traditional summer ranges in higher meadows. Females give birth to calves on their summer range, although some may calve during migration. At first, females leave their nearly scentless spotted calves hidden while they feed a distance away, so predators won't be attracted to the calves by the cows' presence. Within a week or two, calves follow their mothers.
Habitat and History
Before settlement of the country, elk ranged from the eastern states through central and western North America. They grazed the open prairies, mountain valleys and foothills. As settlers pushed slowly westward, the distribution of the elk was rapidly reduced to the western mountains. By the turn of the century, elk had disappeared from over 90 percent of their original range.
When settlers arrived in Jackson Hole in the late 1800's, there may have been as many as 25,000 elk in the valley. As the town of Jackson grew migratory elk's historic winter range was diminished. Farms and ranches further restricted elk from their traditional wintering areas. Livestock competed for winter food and starving elk raided haystacks. Conflicts between man and elk further diminished the Jackson Hole elk population. Today's refuge is 1/4 the original winter range for the Jackson elk herd, and supports more than half the elk population of 15,000-16,000 in Jackson Hole.
A Diversity of Wildlife and Plants
In addition to elk, other species such as moose, bighorn sheep, bison, mule deer, coyotes, badgers, and Unita ground squirrels can be observed at the refuge. Other common wildlife species include muskrats, beaver, porcupines, longtail weasels, and voles or meadow mice. Nearly 175 spieces of birds have been observed on the Refuge. Waterfowl commonly seen on pond and marsh areas include the mallard, pintail, gadwall, Barrow's goldeneye, bufflehead, green-winged and cinnamon teal and Canada geese. Trumpeter Swans can be observed from a turnout along US Highway 26, north of the Town of Jackson.
Winter Sleigh Rides
Early December - Early April
A Sleigh Ride through the Refuge is a fun and exciting adventure during the winter season. National Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides will be departing from the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, located at 532 North Cache Street in Jackson. (Previously, the sleigh ride ticket sales and departure were 3 miles north of Jackson at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.) Visitors board a shuttle bus that will take them to the boarding area 2.5 miles north of the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00-5:00 during the winter, except on Christmas Day. Sleigh rides operate between 10:00-4:00 daily, except on Christmas Day. Phone inquires about the sleigh rides can be directed to the sleigh ride concessionaire, Bar-T-5, Inc. at 1-800-772-5386.
Other Activities
Elk hunting and trout fishing are enjoyed on the refuge during certain seasons. All State and Federal Regulations apply, and some special regulations are also in effect. There are limited hiking opportunities on the Refuge but there is no overnight parking or camping.
The National Elk Refuge maintains visitor information services in the USFWS/Wyoming Information Center at 532 N. Cache Street in Jackson. 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. daily.
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