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www.yellowstonepark.com
I'm only 3 hrs away from this place, thanks for sharing! I'll definitely check it out.
We were there in mid to late September. Saw lots of elk, bison, pronghorns. Plus we saw mountaing goats heading out the backside of Custer over towards Mount Rushmore. The scenery photography was also great.
I agree 100% with Abinoone regarding both wolves and the elk population in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs. I live in Gardiner, MT, which is within walking distance of the North Entrance, and I'm in the park photographing the animals 4-5 days a week. I can tell you elk are numerous both inside and outside the parks. Wolves serve a very important purpose and their reintroduction in 1994 and 95 has done much to restore the ecological balance to the ecosystem, as Abinoone has said. According to the 2023 edition of the Yellowstone Resources and Issues Handbook, published by the National Park Service, "Yellowstone provides summer range for an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 elk from six to seven herds, most of which winter at lower elevations outside the park." Additionally, that same guide states that "[E]lk are the most abundant large mammal found in Yellowstone." The loss of elk population was primarily the doing of humans when it was decided that the elk population was so large that the herds had to be "culled" (read, "killed"), which ended in the 60s, but today Montana still permits limited and controlled hunts of Elk outside the park. There is no doubt that the wolves hunt elk but the elk population is today stable or even possibly increasing, according to the guidebook. Don't mean to hijack the thread, but this is an issue raised here and is a matter of significant concern in Yellowstone.
Wolves are apex predators who help maintain the balance of the ecosystem. Without Wolves, prey animals, such as deer, undergo population explosions that diminish vegetation cover, leading to increased erosion and even disruption of river channels. In short, Wolves are essential to the success of the ecosystem.
Farley Mowat's book Never Cry Wolf cites native wisdom that the wolf keeps the caribou strong.
Muncho Lake for Stone Sheep (a thinhorn subspecies).
Wow! That's quite the trek from Vancouver (1800km). Thanks for the suggestion: it might take some planning, though.
There is that, as well. Darwinism would support that belief.
You are a very fortunate man to live in Gardiner. My roots are in the east, but I would dearly love to spend at least a few months in the YNP area someday.
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Preserve!
Although unlikely to happen my lifetime, I would like to see wolves reintroduced into the midwestern and eastern states (aside from WI and MI) for a variety of reasons, not the least of which would be to control the explosive populations of white tailed deer. Deer/vehicle collisions alone cause billions of dollars of property damage annually, and not a few human deaths. But unfortunately, there’s a widespread fear of wolves, and ignorance about their positive benefits to environmental health.
I come from NY with stops all along the east coast. Last year, after visiting Yellowstone for years 2 weeks at a time decided to move here for a year. I’ve loved it. I haven’t decided whether to stay or move on to another adventure come April. Still working on it, but Yellowstone remains a strong contender.
Wolves have reintroduced themselves in very small numbers in northeast California, widespread public reaction in this ranching area is TBD. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for the advice! I'll be in the area next week and will check it out.
Right now the eagles are there every morning. Go to Sandy Wool lake right when the park opens. Also, the bobcat spot you messaged me about is right next to Ed Levin.
Also most recently Central California, the Tulare Pack in Sequoia National Forest. Very small group.
I would like to pick your brain sometime about ARNWR. I’ve had it in my list for years and would like to go in 2024.
Sorry, just went and read the thread and see someone else asked. Def add it to your list.
