Impasse Stalls Hunting On National Refuges
A lot of hunters might have to wait until the federal government budget deadlock is broken in Washington, D.C.
Hunting on national wildlife refuges and other facilities ended when government operations were ordered to stop.
Nowhere in the region was the halt more abrupt than at Jackson, Wyo., where hundreds of elk hunters, including many from out of state, were told they would have to hold fire until the impasse was resolved.
Each year hunters flock to Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge to thin an elk herd that state game managers say is too big.
Hunters holding the 250 elk tags were set to start hunting today, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Another 1,750 hunters had tags that allowed them to start in October, but now is the best time because elk expose themselves most during migration.
“The elk are really moving right now,” said Joe Bohne, wildlife management coordinator for the Jackson-Pinedale Region. “It couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
The Jackson herd, including the park elk, numbers nearly 17,000. The state objective for a healthy herd is 11,200 animals.
In eastern Idaho, Camas and Grays Lake refuges closed to hunting until the government reopens. But Idaho Fish and Game officials said it’s late enough in the season that the effects should be limited.
“They’re all pretty much frozen up by this time of year and there’s usually very limited duck hunting,” said Bob Martin, environmental coordinator for the Upper Snake Region.
Seventy-five Idaho elk hunters in Unit 63 also won’t be able to chase their game onto the Camas refuge, though the refuge is a tiny portion of that unit. That hunt lasts through Dec. 31.
Because employees are furloughed, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials could not be reached for comment. But in a written statement Tuesday, agency Director Mollie Beatty said the closures go for all activities, including bird watching. She said some hunts may remain open, but most in the Northwest will not.