Elk feeding ends early
The National Elk Refugeâs big rigs spewed out alfalfa pellets for the last time in 2021 on Monday, marking the end of a feeding season that has been abridged by about two weeks to meet management goals.
Using snow depth as the benchmark, refuge staff in an ordinary year would have fed the 8,500 or so elk on the property through about April 12. But because of an elk feeding âstep-downâ plan that is taking effect, the end date this year was March 29.
âWeâre on our way to fully implementing the step-down plan,â refuge biologist Eric Cole said. âThis is consistent with whatâs in the plan.â