National Elk Refuge

Comments are due to the refuge by Oct. 30.

But the threat of litigation by the Earthjustice environmental group has forced the agency to act.

Bidders paid an average of almost $17 per pound for antlers this year.

Animals on the refuge seemed to weather the historically snowy and colder-than-usual midwinter just fine.

The animals would then be expected to forage for food during all but perhaps the most severe winters.

Game and Fish biologist Aly Courtemanch says elk were scattered around Jackson Hole.

The refuge is north of Jackson.

This past winter was the first in 37 years that elk and bison didn't require supplemental feeding on the refuge.

The average onset of feeding on the National Elk Refuge, where elk get alfalfa instead of hay, is the end of January.

Deputy Refuge Manager Cris Dippel said Wyoming will likely issue fewer bull tags next year.