Critics Question Elk Hunt In Grand Teton National Park

Above, a herd of elk at Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Let's see. I have seen elk at three national parks that I can immediately recall. 

At Grand Canyon National Park's Trailer Village (at the South Rim), one elk buck wandered through the trailer park. At Yellowstone National Park, we saw some relaxing near some buildings. And, at Grand Teton National Park, we saw a huge group of them in a big meadow for mutual protection from a nearby bear (photo at top). 

Speaking of Grand Teton, there is an elk preserve outside of the park near Jackson, Wyoming. Apparently, that may not be enough to control them as there is an annual elk hunt in the national park. 

Above, the top photo was zoomed in from this one. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Critics are questioning the hunt as it takes place with tourists put into jeopardy. 

Cowboy State Daily posted an article on this and they begin it with:

An annual elk hunt in Grand Teton National Park has been conducted almost every year since 1950, when Congress authorized a controlled reduction of elk in the park when necessary to manage the herd. The provision was included in legislation expanding the park.

This year’s hunt is set to open Saturday and run until Dec. 6.

Local wildlife photographer Jeffery Soulliere told Cowboy State Daily he was out getting pictures of bison during the opening day of the 2014 hunt. And though he thought he was well clear of the hunt area, “a bullet flew right by me,” producing a distinctive cracking sound in the frigid air.

He said he’s been opposed to the hunt ever since and doesn’t see the sense in having hunters shooting at elk in clear view of tourists.

If what Soulliere says is true, an accident is just waiting to happen.

To read more, go here.