June 2021 - 10

NEWS
Feeders distribute hay bales to elk on one of the 22 elk feedgrounds in western Wyoming. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is moving forward to create a long-term management plan for the
feedgrounds. (WGFD photo)
Game and Fish moves forward with
elk feedground management process
CHEYENNE - The second phase of a
long-term management plan for Wyoming's
22 elk feedgrounds is underway as the Wyoming
Game and Fish Department has completed
the first phase.
The first phase entailed sharing information
related to feedground history, objectives
of the program and the complexities, including
wildlife diseases like chronic wasting disease
and brucellosis, that have evolved
over time. The first phase also gathered
feedback from the public and stakeholders
that will lead to the development
of future strategies and policies
for feedground management.
Elk have utilized feedgrounds in
northwest Wyoming since the early
1900s, and thousands of elk are supplementally
fed during the winter months
on Game and Fish-operated feedgrounds in
Teton, Sublette and Lincoln counties, as well
as on the National Elk Refuge in Jackson managed
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
High concentrations of elk create concern
for the transmission of disease to wildlife and
cattle. Supplemental feeding is complicated
and often a contentious issue with biological,
social, economic and political considerations.
10 | June 2021
The first phase was completed in January
with four online public meetings in
December of 2020, and a supplemental
question-and-answer online session in early
January. Written comments from the public
also were accepted.
Game and Fish Deputy Wildlife Chief
Scott Edberg led the feedground management
team during the first phase and will continue
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON
THE GAME AND FISH'S DEVELOPMENT
OF MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR ELK
FEEDGROUNDS GO TO: HTTPS://WGFD.WYO.
GOV/GET-INVOLVED/ELK-FEEDGROUNDS.
into the second phase. The team consists of
13 other Game and Fish members, including
local wildlife and feedground managers,
information and education specialists and
the department's wildlife veterinarian and
wildlife health laboratory supervisor along
with five individuals from four federal partner
agencies.
" While there are benefits to feeding elk
on feedgrounds, there also are challenges, "
Edberg said. " Game and Fish, along with the
public, will develop a plan on the long-term
management of feedgrounds. It is critical that
the public is engaged as this plan process
moves forward, as together, we can take those
challenges on. "
Phase two is underway and will span
into early 2023 as Game and Fish works to
develop the long-term plan pertaining to the
future and evolving feedground management.
Focus groups will be made
up of specific stakeholders such as, but
not limited to, sportspersons, local
and state elected officials, landowners,
outfitters/guides, conservation organizations,
tourism and business representatives
and others that have an interest
in the future of elk feedgrounds. Game
and Fish intends to continue public education
efforts and offer learning opportunities based
on best-available science of feedgrounds management.
Game and Fish also will provide
the public with opportunities for comment.
A feedground management plan is
expected to be presented to the Wyoming
Game and Fish Commission for their review,
comments and approval in the spring of 2023.
- Robert Gagliardi, WGFD
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/elk-feedgrounds
June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2021
