Montana lawmakers want Wyoming to stop feeding elk

Sat., Feb. 25, 2017

JACKSON, WYOMING -- Elk, part of a herd of more than 1,600, make their way through blowing snow at the National Elk Refuge outside Jackson Hole, Wyo., where, for 90 years, elk coming down from the high country for the winter, have gathered where they are fed through the season. Almost 8,000 elk in three herds, fed alfalfa pellets daily in the coldest months, start arriving in mid-October from the surrounding high country. Tourists can reach the herd by horse-drawn sleigh. (Michael Kodas / Associated Press)

By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com (509) 459-5508

WILDLIFE — The Montana Senate has voted to tell Wyoming and federal wildlife officials to stop feeding elk outside Yellowstone National Park.

The Associated Press reports that the resolution passed 50-0 Friday over concerns the feeding grounds increase the transmission of diseases that can be spread north into Montana.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wyoming wildlife officials provide hay and alfalfa during the winter at nearly two dozen feeding sites, including the National Elk Refuge.

Wyoming provides the supplemental feeding to keep elk from eating hay on private land and to keep the population high for hunting.

Democratic Sen. Mike Phillips of Bozeman says he hopes that Montana U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke’s appointment as President Donald Trump’s interior secretary will lead to an end to the practice.

The resolution must pass the Montana House before it is sent to Wyoming and federal officials.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Outdoors Blog." Read all stories from this blog