Calf-to-cow ratio down on National Elk Refuge

Wildlife manager says the number of elk calves per 100 cows on the National Elk Refuge is lower than what is needed to sustain the Jackson Elk Herd population. Wyoming Game and Fish and National Elk Refuge personnel counted nearly 16 calves per 100 cows on the refuge during the annual elk classification count Feb. 13. Last year, they counted 22.4 calves per 100 cows. Biologists say 25 calves per 100 cows are needed to sustain the population of more than 11,000 animals. Biologists caution they have not yet tallied elk counted during flights over other winter range in the region.