The National Elk Refuge Jackson Hole, Wyoming In the early 1900's settlers moved into Jackson Hole. The settlers and the elk, which had lived in these valleys for perhaps 500 years or more, were living together in the valley, but as the humans, and the cattle they brought with them began to increase, the elk had a tougher time finding enough food. In the winters of 1909 to 1911, thousands of elk died of starvation. Congress created the National Elk Refuge on August 10, 1912 to protect the winter range of the elk. Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages nearly 25,000 acres of prime winter habitat as a reserve for the use of the elk. The refuge is fenced only on the south end and on the west side along Highway 89 to keep the elk off the roadways and out of town. The elk live on the refuge for 6 months but the feeding program only lasts a few months. The supplemental feeding of pelletized alfalfa hay begins each winter when the snow develops a hard crust or becomes exceptionally deep, or when forage is scarce. Elk eat about 7 to 8 pounds of pelletized alfalfa a day. The feedings usually lasts two and a half months, from December through March, and continues until the snow melts. The herd consists of 20 percent bulls, 20 percent calves and 60 percent cows. The majority of adult cows and bull on the Refuge are between 3 and 10 years old, but a small percent of the herd may be 15 to 25 years old. As the snow melts the elk leave the lower elevations on the Refuge and in April and May follow the receding Snow back into the higher country where they spend the summer. The elk travel from a few miles to 65 miles, from the refuge to Grand Teton National Park, southern Yellowstone National Park and the National Forest lands to the north and northeast. For more information on the refuge call the refuge manager, National Elk Refuge, P.O.Box C, Jackson hole, Wyoming 83001. Phone (307) 733-9212.