Being Wild Jackson Hole

06/18/2024

Pitch in to protect wildlife this week! Being Wild Jackson Hole shares opportunities for our visitors to connect with our wildlife and our landscapes through volunteer opportunities.

Friday, June 21 join us and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation to observe professional bird-banders capture, band, and release songbirds. By doing this, researchers can better understand population trends in the area. You’ll learn about local birds, too!

Saturday, June 22 volunteer alongside the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation to help reduce barriers to wildlife migration. We do this by removing obsolete fences (with permission) or making wildlife-friendly modifications to existing fences.

Volunteering is one way that tourists can get to know Jackson Hole's wildlife and environments, and this is something that we highlight at Being Wild Jackson Hole

06/13/2024

It’s that time of year in Wyoming… There are lots of baby animals running around!

Bison calves are typically born in April or May. They are a pretty rust color and because of this they are sometimes nicknamed “red dogs.”

A baby bison can weigh anywhere from 30 to 70 pounds when it's born, and like many ungulates, can run just a few short hours later.

Photo: C Shii

06/07/2024

Who is planning a trip to Yellowstone this summer? There is so much to see! Make sure you are well-prepared in advance of your trip. In your time in the park there will be ample opportunity to see the popular western wildlife like bison and elk. Of course, there’s Old Faithful geyser and Old Faithful Inn.

There are other, lesser-known attractions in Yellowstone National park, like Mammoth Hot Springs, and the nearby historic district. This is a great place to stop and explore the fantastic hot springs feature, grab some ice cream, or have a picnic.

Mammoth is notorious for elk roaming the streets, so just like everywhere in Yellowstone, please be very aware of your surroundings and do not approach wild animals!

Learn more about Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District:

The Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District includes Fort Yellowstone, where 35 structures remain from the 1890s and early 1900s when the US Army administered the park

06/01/2024

Though they are not necessarily known for their camouflage abilities, coyotes sure do blend in to their natural, rocky habitat!

The coyote’s natural grayish fur with rust coloring is the perfect match for this hillside.

A good tip for wildlife watching is to just watch the landscape and look for movement. Even in this photo, the coyote is clearly visible, but it is also easy to miss if you look too quickly.

05/25/2024

These small but mighty birds are excellent at catching fish… as their name suggests!

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful kingfisher, your best bet is to spend time around water. You’re most likely to see them perched on a fence, in a bush, or a willow, watching the water and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

The female Belted Kingfisher has a rust colored band across her chest, while the male only has one blue band. This makes the female more brightly colored than the male, which is very rare in most bird species!

Photo: Jack Bulmer

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/overview #

05/19/2024

Our summer volunteering opportunity schedule is posted! During your upcoming visit to Jackson Hole, give a few hours to support local wildlife and be inspired for a lifetime.

Weather we're working together to remove old fencing to help wildlife migrations, collecting native seeds with National Park staff, preserving and maintaining hiking trails, or helping control the spread of invasive species... There are ample opportunities to get out there and connect with nature through volunteering!

Learn more or register on our website.

Volunteering is one way that tourists can get to know Jackson Hole's wildlife and environments, and this is something that we highlight at Being Wild Jackson Hole

05/09/2024

Who’s been stuck in a bison jam before? When you’re visiting Yellowstone this summer, please have patience and let the bison cross the road.

Looking for traffic jams is also a good tip for looking for animals while you’re exploring the park! A common saying is to look for the cars and traffic, because that means there are animals around.

When you’re not waiting for bison (or any animals!) to cross the road, remember to drive the proper speed limit. It’s a kind way for you to do your part to help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on our roadways!

Photo: Judy Beth Morris

04/30/2024

Camouflage! Though they are not known for their camouflage abilities, bighorn sheep sure do blend in to their natural cliffside rock habitat.

Today’s bighorn sheep populations face challenges such as: a continued rebound from historic overhunting, diseases (wild sheep are susceptible to pneumonia spread by domestic livestock), and habitat loss. While Wyoming’s bighorn sheep population has partially recovered, it still falls below the objectives set by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

When you’re visiting Jackson Hole, you can play a role in supporting bighorn sheep conservation efforts. If you visit Miller Butte to view bighorn sheep, please drive cautiously along the road, as the sheep may approach humans and/or cars out of curiosity.

04/22/2024

Osprey are returning to the valley!

These snowbirds migrate South every year, for warmer temperatures in winter. They’ll go as far as Southern California and Mexico.

Soon, you’ll start seeing ospreys building or fixing up their nests. They’ll start laying eggs in May and we can expect to start seeing baby ospreys in June!

If you’re visiting Jackson Hole this spring, look for osprey near bodies of water, since they primarily eat fish. There are also various nesting platforms around the valley… which are dedicated poles (like a telephone pole) with a flat platform on the top, specifically built for osprey to create their nests on.

Photo: Joshua J Cotten

04/16/2024

Our springtime reminder that many hiking and biking trails around town open on Wednesday, May 1! This includes trails near Snow King Mountain. Even though we’re getting some warmer temperatures in the forecast, please help our wildlife this spring by respecting trail closures.

Spring is a really challenging time for wildlife, after having limited food all winter, food will not be more abundant for a few months still. Also in the spring, many animals are moving up and out of the valley, often crossing popular hiking and walking trails. Please respect the wildlife closures and give them their space at this critical time of year. Thank you for doing your part to help our local wild animals!

Learn more about trail closures on the Friends of Pathways website.
https://friendsofpathways.org/pathways/

04/09/2024

Springtime is such a fun time of year for noting wildlife changes around Jackson Hole. One of the most noticeable spring movements is the elk. Thousands of elk that winter on the National Elk Refuge will begin leaving the refuge this month. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ended the winter supplemental feeding program on March 29.

As snow begins to melt in higher elevations, elk will return to their summer stomping grounds. Many will migrate to higher elevations within Grand Teton National Park or up into Yellowstone National Park.

Photograph: Jack Charles

04/01/2024

Have you heard of the the Yellowstone Pledge? Guests are encouraged to make their Yellowstone Pledge anytime, anyplace!

“I pledge to protect Yellowstone National Park. I will act responsibly and safely, set a good example for others, and share my love of the park and all the things that make it special.”

Yellowstone National Park also offers ten tips to help you put your pledge into action. We like #1, Give wildlife room, use a zoom. This tip is helpful for remembering that you can be a good steward of wildlife by giving them proper space. If you’re taking pictures, it’s recommended to use a zoom lens so you can stay 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 m) from all other animals.

Learn more about the Yellowstone Pledge on their website.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/yellowstonepledge.htm

Photo: Jonathan Mabey

03/28/2024

There may be snow in the forecast this week, but we are seeing signs of spring around the valley!

Mountain bluebirds are known for being harbingers of spring around Jackson Hole and surrounding areas. Typically, you’ll start seeing bluebirds in the area in March. Male Mountain Bluebirds are a stunning, bright blue and the females are light gray/blue.

What other backyard birds will start returning to the valley soon? We’ll start seeing Red-Winged Blackbirds this month. As temperatures warm up in April, look for both Tree Swallows and Violet-green Swallows. With more warmth (and insects), we’ll expect to see the Yellow-rumped Warblers as well as a variety of Sparrows!

If you want to learn more about springtime birding in Jackson, check out this blog from the

Photo: John Duncan

https://jhwildlife.org/spring-emergents-and-arrivals-first-of-year-foy/

03/24/2024

The bears are emerging from their dens!

The first official grizzly bear of the season was spotted on March 3 Yellowstone National Park.

Males emerge from hibernation in early February, while females with cubs will start coming out of their dens in April or May.

As you're adventuring in bear country, please be bear aware! Always give bears space (100 yards) and be cautious when you’re out hiking or skiing this spring.

Read more in the article, below.

Editor’s Note: There are no photos of this bear. MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — Yellowstone National Park (YNP) issued a press release announcing its first officially recorded grizzly bear sighting of 2024 occurred on March 3. An unofficial sighting was documented by a wildlife watcher in the Hayde...

03/14/2024

Well, we sure had a wintery Moose Day 2024!

Thank you so much to all of the volunteers who counted moose on March 2. We got a LOT of snow that day, so conditions were not good for wildlife viewing.

In total, volunteers counted 36 moose! This number includes moose seen in the search areas we were watching, and also moose seen by residents and friends from their homes on Moose Day. This is the lowest number of moose ever counted on Moose Day since the annual event began in 2009, which is not surprising, given the conditions.

We were excited to learn that people did download the Nature Mapping App and recorded moose observations in February and March. Every bit of data helps local biologists and wildlife managers at Wyoming Game and Fish Department better understand the population and movements of the Jackson Hole Moose Herd.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and hopefully we’ll have better luck with the weather next year! Thanks to Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation for organizing this annual, citizen science event.

02/28/2024

Last month, local online news source, Buckrail, published a story about the low snowpack and low elk population on the National Elk Refuge. The article states that this year is the lowest snowpack on the refuge compared to the last seven years!

Here’s a quick quote: “Refuge Manager, Frank Durbian shared with Buckrail that on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 there was one inch of snowpack measured on the refuge, equating to 6.5 inches less than the average snowpack for this time of year.”

Despite the low snow, tourists and locals alike are still enjoying the Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides, run by Double H Bar Inc.

JACKSON, Wyo. — As elk slowly trickle onto the National Elk Refuge, this winter marks the lowest snowpack measurement since 2007, when comparable measurements began. Refuge Manager, Frank Durbian shared with Buckrail that on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 there was one inch of snowpack measured on the r...

02/20/2024

If you’re visiting Jackson Hole on Saturday, March 2, join us for Moose Day!

Each year, the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department host Moose Day. It’s Jackson Hole’s largest, one-day citizen science project. Volunteers spend one morning searching for and counting moose on a pre-assigned parcel in the Jackson Hole valley.

Learn more or register: https://form.jotform.com/233545089623158

Biologists will use the information we gather to help guide their population estimation of the iconic Jackson Hole Moose Herd.

Participation for Moose Day on March 2 is limited to 25 participants. But! You can also help us observe and count moose now through March 8.

02/11/2024

Did you know that both bobcats and lynx live in Wyoming? Lynx are very rarely seen... Yellowstone National Park only has 112 known observations.

According to NPS.gov, in 2000, the US Fish and Wildlife Service listed the lynx as “threatened” in the lower 48 states. Portions of Yellowstone National park and surrounding area is considered much of the critical habitat for the species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Have you ever seen a Lynx or a bobcat?

Learn more about lynx at the link below
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/canada-lynx.htm

Photo: Zdenek Machacek

02/04/2024

How fast do moose antlers grow?

What’s that beardy thing called that grows below a moose’s jaw?

How big was the largest recorded moose?

Learn ALL about moose at our Pre-Moose Day Identification and Information Session with Wyoming Game and Fish on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 6-7MST.

This is a virtual seminar that will take place virtually over Zoom. Learn all you’ve ever wanted to know (and more!) about moose in Wyoming. This event is free and open to the public. Any and all are invited!

You do not have to plan to join us for Moose Day to attend this session.

Learn more or register for any of our Moose Day events. https://form.jotform.com/233545089623158

Answer 1: Mature moose can grow about an inch of antler per day.

Answer 2: That beardy thing that grows under a moose’s jaw is called a dewlap… and both males and females have them.

Answer 3: The largest bull moose recorded at the Moose Research Station on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska was 1,697 pounds.

These natural history moose stats came from Nps.gov. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/moose-did-you-know.htm

Photo: Judy Beth Morris

01/27/2024

Moose on the loose! If you’re visiting Jackson Hole in February or early March, you can help our local wildlife by joining us for Moose Day.

Moose Day is Jackson Hole’s largest, one-day citizen science project. It’s hosted every year by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. We’d love it if you could join us!

There are three ways to get involved:

1. Moose Day on Saturday, March 2, (8 – 11 am)
Join us on the Moose Walk! You'll help us survey for moose by walking a loop at the Cache Creek Trailhead in Jackson Hole. Complimentary coffee and bagels will be available and we'll recommend good spots to go wildlife watching after the walk is over! Space is limited.

2. Count moose you see from February 20 - March 8
If you can’t make it for moose Day on March 2, but still want to participate, you can! Basically, you’ll collect and record moose observation data during your visit.

3. Attend our identification Session on February 15 (6-7 pm)
Attend our Pre-Moose Day Identification and Information Session with Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This is a virtual seminar that will take place virtually over Zoom. Learn all you’ve ever wanted to know (and more!) about moose in Wyoming. This event is free and open to the public.

Learn more or register for any of our Moose Day events at the link below.

Please click the link to complete this form.

01/20/2024

Where's a great area to watch ducks this winter around Jackson Hole?

One spot we like is near the National Elk Refuge Visitor Center. The location is called “Bert’s Bench,” named after local birder Bert Raynes. The bench overlooks a still, marshy area of Flat Creek. It’s ideal for ducks, but you may also catch a glimpse of otters, muskrats, ospreys, bald eagles, moose, or mule deer, too!

Check out this neat online resource below to see what birds and waterfowl have been spotted around the valley lately.

Already this January, birders have reported seeing Mallards, Green-winged Teals, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, and Common Mergansers in Jackson Hole.

Explore a complete list of bird species observations in this area.

01/14/2024

If you’re visiting Jackson Hole this winter, a good spot to look for moose is around Blacktail Butte. Since it’s a low-snow year so far in the Jackson Hole valley, moose continue to forage in the sagebrush around the Blacktail Butte / Gros Ventre river area.

Imagine a moose’s winter diet. During summer, they get all of the lush, green vegetation and new growth, but in winter… They’re surviving mostly on twigs, sticks, and bark right now.

Moose have a similar digestive system to domestic cows. This means they have a four-chambered stomach. The chambers allow for them to store partially chewed food, then bring it back up for re-chewing multiple times!

Photo: Jack Charles

01/06/2024

Jackson Hole is a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts, especially during the winter months.

As of December 27, 2023 at least 40 bighorn sheep have been reported in the vicinity of Miller Butte. And, it’s only about a 7-minute drive from the Town Square!

Today’s bighorn sheep populations face challenges such as: a continued rebound from historic overhunting, diseases, and habitat loss. While Wyoming’s bighorn sheep population has partially recovered, it still falls below the objectives set by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

You can play a role in supporting bighorn sheep conservation efforts. When visiting Miller Butte, please ensure you give these magnificent creatures ample space. Drive cautiously along the road, as the sheep near Miller Butte can become habituated and may approach humans out of curiosity.

Visit our Species Spotlight on our website to view our guide to an unforgettable bighorn sheep viewing experience along the National Elk Refuge Road!

https://beingwildjh.com/species-spotlight-bighorn-sheep/

You can also sign up for our newsletter if you’d like - you’ll get quarterly wildlife updates from us.

12/29/2023

We know, we know… you don’t come to Jackson Hole in the winter to see songbirds. But! As protectors of wildlife, we love all of our local animals - not just the moose you may glimpse around Jackson Hole or the wolves running around up in Yellowstone.

There are quite a few species of smaller birds that do not migrate, so you can see them year round! While you’re out and about, take a moment to enjoy the little birds you may see around town and the Jackson Hole valley this winter. Watch what they’re doing and see if you can learn about it’s life in a few minutes.

Are you a birder? Do you recognize these birds that you might see around Jackson Hole?

Photo 1: Evening Grosbeak (female)
Photo 2: White-breasted Nuthatch
Photo 3: Pine Siskin
Photo 4: Black Capped Chickadee

All four photos courtesy of Jeremy Hynes

12/19/2023

This fall, Yellowstone National Park announced that a mule deer carcass found in the park had tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The disease is fatal for deer, moose, and elk and there is not a cure for it yet.

This isn’t usually what we post about, but it’s all part of learning about and respecting wildlife.

Though CWD has been present in deer herds in Wyoming for decades, this is the first time it’s been identified in Yellowstone. CWD is caused by a malformed protein that builds up in the animals’ tissues and eventually causes emaciation and death.

The press release reminds us that most animals in Yellowstone are healthy, but just like humans, animals get sick sometimes too.

If you are visiting Yellowstone National Park and you see sick or dead wildlife, please notify a park employee. And for your own safety, please avoid touching or handling sick or dead animals.

Learn more in Yellowstone National Park’s press release.

12/12/2023

👀 To see or not to see, that is the question. 👀

Camouflage is the name of the game for snowshoe hares and weasels when it comes to surviving winter. These animals have the stunning ability to change the color of their fur based on the season! Don’t go imagining a chameleon that can change its color quickly… it’s not quite like that.

Every fall, both snowshoe hares and weasels will shed their brown fur and grow in a white coat for winter. Each spring, they’ll shed the white and transition back to the brown colored fur. Other animals do this too, even birds go between white and brown feathers - like the ptarmigan (they live farther north... not in Jackson Hole).

This incredible transformation helps animals blend into their surroundings better throughout the year. It helps the snowshoe hare hide from predators. It helps the weasel hide from predators and hunt.

Learn more about fantastic winter wildlife adaptations on our website! https://beingwildjh.com/winter-adaptations/

12/05/2023

Lots of hiking trails around Jackson Hole closed last week! Many trails are in prime wildlife areas and winter is very hard on our local wildlife. When food is hard to come by in winter months, animals don't need to be stressed or waste energy running from humans when startled.

When you are out enjoying the beautiful Jackson Hole this winter, please respect trail closure signs if you see them!

Photograph: Wes Hicks

11/23/2023

Elk will start heading to lower elevations soon! We still haven’t seen a lot of snow accumulation around the valley, which means the National Elk Refuge is still pretty quiet.

But, usually we'll start seeing elk arrive at the refuge in Late November. Maybe some of the snow we'll get this week will encourage them to make their way to the refuge.

Biologists have been measuring the forage production on the National Elk Refuge this spring and summer, which will help them determine how much supplemental feeding to provide if necessary.

Did you know? Each year, approximately 11,000 elk spend winter months at the National Elk Refuge. Not only elk, but also bison, trumpeter swans, coyotes, foxes, and bighorn sheep also live on the refuge in winter months. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the National Elk Refuge, along with more than 560 refuges across the United States.

Photo: Tevin Trinh

11/14/2023

We talk about migration a lot this time of year. But where do the deer go?

In the spring of 2016, researchers from the University of Wyoming put a GPS tracking collar on a female deer to see where she would go over the winter! What they found surprised everyone.

Meet Deer 255, the Wyoming mule deer that traveled 242 miles.

Early that summer, Deer 255 set out on a long-distance journey, traveling across Wyoming’s expansive sagebrush country and skirting the western edge of the Wind River Mountain Range. Like most of her herd, she stopped over in the Hoback Basin for weeks that spring, but unlike the rest, she then kept migrating.

When the doe finally reached her destination in Island Park, Idaho (near Yellowstone National Park), she had traveled roughly 242 miles, navigating busy highways, barbed-wire fences, and other hazards to complete her migration.

What’s more, the story of Deer 255 didn’t end with a single incredible journey. From 2018-2020, the world champion doe has completed similar migrations, though she varied her summer range between Island Park, Idaho and Moran, Wyoming. In December 2020, Deer 255 made her fall migration to the Red Desert with twin fawns!

Learn more about her on our website. https://beingwildjh.com/wildlife-champions/wildlife-advocates/success-stories/deer-255/

Photo: Ivan Evans

11/10/2023

Many birds fly south for the winter, but there have been sightings of 80 species of birds that stay in Jackson Hole all winter! On any given wintery day, you'll probably only encounter 10-30 species in a day around the valley.

You'll likely see a few members of the corvid family. Corvids are birds related to crows. They are known for being highly intelligent and include ravens, black-billed magpies, nutcrackers and jays. Ravens and magpies are scavengers, so you’re most likely to see them around an elk or deer carcass in the winter. Although sometimes considered more common, or even a pest to some, these birds are vital to a healthy ecosystem.

Learn more about winter backyard birding in and around Jackson Hole on our blog!

“Winter Backyard Birds of Jackson Hole,” by Alex Patia. Alex is a birder and naturalist who works for Teton Science Schools as a wildlife guide.

https://beingwildjh.com/winter-backyard-birds-of-jackson-hole/

Raven Photo: Jeremy Hynes