Refuge hunt count

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

By Matthew Irwin

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-The National Elk Refuge, on Monday, reported the highest elk harvest in the last five years. Hunters claimed killing 141 elk from Oct. 10 to Dec. 13, up from 126 in 2008, according to NER spokesperson Lori Iverson. The number does not reflect hunters who may have not turned in their reports, and NER officials expect more hunt reports to be filed in the coming weeks.

This year, the elk refuge increased the hunting season by one week at the tail end because trends from previous seasons demonstrated the animals come down later in the season. The decision proved fortuitous this year as the warm fall seemed to keep elk from migrating earlier. Indeed, 72 percent of the elk harvest came in the last three weeks. Though Iverson said that the count would have been equal to last year had they ended on Dec. 6.

The “South Unit” of the refuge, opened to hunting for the first time two years ago, showed a decline, from 23 to 16 of the total, compared to last year, but was equal to 2007.

Cow Elk File Photo

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Refuge hunt count | Planet JH News Article: General News

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