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The National Elk Refuge
On a cold, crisp winter day, visitors and residents in Jackson Hole can bundle up and enjoy a unique wildlife experience - riding a horse-drawn sleigh to watch thousands of elk wintering on the National Elk Refuge. Through the sleigh rides and the visitor staging area at the Jackson Hole Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, visitors learn intriguing facts about the life history of the elk and management of the Refuge. The Jackson Elk Herd is one of the outstanding natural resources of this country and comprises the largest, concentrated wintering herd of elk in North America.
Elk once ranged from eastern states through central and western North America. They grazed the open prairies, mountain valleys, and foothills. But as civilization pushed slowly westward, the distribution of these animals was rapidly reduced to the western mountainous regions. By the turn of the century, elk had disappeared from over 90% of their original range in the U.S.
The National Elk Refuge was established to preserve and manage habitat for elk wintering area in the valley and is operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. It was created in 1912 as a result of public interest in the survival of the Jackson Elk Herd. The National Elk Refuge is one of over 540 areas within the National Wildlife Refuge System. It is approximately 25,000 acres and is devoted primarily to the preservation of elk winter range. Refuge lands represent about one quarter of the historic elk wintering area in the valley. In addition, the area provides habitat and crucial wintering areas for a variety of other wildlife including trumpeter swans, bald eagles, bison, bighorn sheep, mule deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, and a variety of ducks and geese.
'08 ElkFest Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 17 (All events on Town Square except where noted)
7 am Viewing of Boy Scouts of America Elk Antlers begin
7 am - 1 pm Food Court
7 am - 1 pm Living historian Steve Banks, from Dubois, will demonstrate mountain man skills at the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum booth
8 am - 12 pm Private Antler Sale around the Town Square by Rotary Club, contact T.R. Pierce at 307-732-3050
9 am - 1 pm Kids' Corner - including educational tables and games. Sponsored by: Wyoming Game & Fish, Jackson Hole Weed Management and the National Elk Refuge
9 am Boy Scouts of America Antler Auction registration begins
9 am - 1 pm Elk Discovery Booth sponsored by Grand Teton Association with all proceeds benefiting the National Elk Refuge
10 am - 1 pm World Famous Jackson Hole Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction
10 am - 1 pm Jackson Boy Scout and Cub Scout Expo
Saturday, May 17-26
Mountain Man Rendezvous and Traders Row
9am – 6 pm daily Traders Row, Candy Cannon, Bow & Arrow Competition, Hawk & Knife Competition, and Atlatl Competition at the Teton County Fairgrounds. Continues through Old West Days. For more information contact Tom Lucas at 307-330-7436 or tlucasart@wyoming.com.
Sunday, May 18-26
Antler Rendezvous
9am – 6 pm daily Everything handmade with or from antlers and then some! Vendors showcase their wares at the Teton County Fairgrounds. Continues through Old West Days. For more information contact Joe Schloss at 307-733-4007 or jschloss1000@hotmail.com.
Sunday, May 18
Historic Downtown High Noon Chili Cook-Off
Noon Sponsored by the Historic Downtown Business Association. Come taste the Best of the West in chili. Local and regional contestants cook up a tasty variety of chili. $5 will buy you a spoon. For more information, contact Larry Jackson at 307-733-8888 or jxndrill@aol.com.
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