Jackson Hole Elk Devastated by Hunting? - Season 2: Episode 42

[@hiromikami]

This needs to be heard by everybody in the world.

[@scottstruif3939]

Bravo, Ron! Our license fees and taxes on sporting equipment is what pays for wildlife conservation.

[@ericstites9470]

THANK YOU! I work/live in Grand Teton National Park, about 45 miles north of the Elk Refuge. And this is excellent information to relay to those who would blame hunters for any decline in elk population. As it is now, even the National Park AND Elk Refuge have reduction programs to allow hunters so maintain the population and mitigate the spread of diseases like CWD - as well as cook up some GOOOOOD recipes!

[@jlwise1949]

I started hunting in Jackson in 1966 the town of Jackson during hunting season the town was nearly a ghost town with 1 grocery store and a cafe. The G&F gave out 2500 permits in Grand Teton hunt area. During those winters the Nation The great snows came in Yellowstone where most of the migrating elk summered AND a lot of elk were starving because of the depth of snow. I believe it was the winter of 1963-64 People raised such a stink the national guard was called upon to aerial drop hay to help out. Some educated bureaucrats decided that there needed to introduce the Gray Wolf. In 1995 they imported them despite the opposition of the Wyoming G&F and other wildlife groups. The Northern Yellowstone heard had dwindled from 40,000 to around 4,000. the Teton Park licenses went from 2500 to 300 the the area has been reduced to 1/6 of the original area. The # of elk wintering on the National Elk feed grounds has been reduced to 4,000 to 6,000. The population of Teton Co. has grown tremendously. The refuge was 28,000 acers and those greedy billionaires see that as prime real estate .

[@tonymills7883]

Yes Sir! You hit the nail on the head.

[@davidnave4349]

Bravo ! Thank you Ron.

[@ronlowney4700]

😂 They all moved into my favorite hunting spot Ron! 🤫😁

[@gregjones2217]

I've lived in northwest Wyoming for 72 years. There are more game animals now than ever. Leave the game and fish alone. They do a good job. If you don't like hunting don't hunt Great video Ron.

[@matthewblumenthal804]

Thanks Ron. This is important stuff. Wish it got farther than preaching to the choir, but we'll do our best to spread the word.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors-Podcast]

Thanks Matthew.

[@The-Yotesmith]

Great job Ron, I really enjoy hearing about articles like this because I don't actively seek them out so I end up miss majority of them. We must keep these reporters honest and you're doing that. Thank you again Ron for being the eyes and voice on the wall that protects our hunting heritage.

[@paulreid2223]

Facts matter !!!!! You've done a wonderful job of showing the real problem with conservation of wildlife.

[@justsnuggle]

Wow. Thank you for sharing.

[@mattmc1083]

Ron, thank you. Thank you for speaking the truth.

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Well said! Keep it up, sir!

[@johnjackson1830]

Bang on Ron

[@mertonsilliker3686]

Excellent, nice job Ron

[@jbwadlington]

Excellent Ron... Just excellent.

[@williamchester5001]

Good job Ron

[@michaelmarcucci3980]

Awesome!!!!! The truth thank you Ron

[@mfaracing]

Very good Ron!

[@jeffreybateham9527]

What a great video. I used to live and hunt Jackson area... yeah the influx of housing,which has always been an issue has really taken over... are there really 11,000 elk still visiting, I find that number hard to believe, wolves decimated a lot of the elk as well.

[@phild9813]

The Jackson trend counts are good data, maybe some of the best and most consistent in Wyoming. Not sure about this year, but last year’s count was around 10,700.

[@John-uo1qf]

From the Elk Refuge website March 2022: "There are currently an estimated 11,000 elk and 500 bison in Wyoming’s Jackson herds. Approximately 7,000-8,000 elk and 300-500 bison typically spend the winter on the nearly 25,000-acre National Elk Refuge"

[@robertofthelyons]

Great article Ron.

[@chrisaerts6489]

Well said Ron.

[@louisefarley8285]

Conserve the habitat and the animals will take care of themselves with the right bag limits. Animals will sustain themselves but not without their homes cheers from hunter valley Australia

[@davidnave4349]

Thank you Ron . best video ever .

[@wilberfifer5563]

Ron, Well said and your platform helps to inform people of the real truth. Thank You

[@charlesc.stirkjr.7608]

Brilliant

[@ericmorrison3716]

Thank you Ron. In the area of the west I live, there were few wildlife prior to ranching. The water developments put in for irrigation and stock water allowed wildlife in increase

[@craigschaefer8764]

Amen, Ron. Amen.

[@338federalshooter8]

Ron, They can move those extra elk to North Georgia, Tennesee, Virginia and North Carolina. Heck, I'll even lend a hand.

[@billfisher6708]

Excellent post, Ron!!

[@1formation8]

Amen Brother!!!

[@oldgandy5355]

Good program, Ron.

[@BilgePump]

This has been the problem all along. I can look at my own backyard. I live on a formally rural road. Hundreds of acres have been developed now. McMansions, apartments, shopping centers.

[@jameshurd4815]

Well said Ron. 100%

[@bobjohnson7207]

There was 40 acres out the back which held about 40 Elk. Now it's a vineyard. Now they live in my backyard. I've got gardens and proper fences. Good luck with getting the truth out.

[@bertfelix]

Hi Ron, Just discovered you because of your review of the Byrna HD. Which by the way I purchased (Byrna SD) for my daughter. I enjoyed your style of review, so I would like to ask if you would look into reviewing PCP AIR RIFLES. Specifically a brand called AEA. My understanding is that even in the people's republic of California air rifle hunting is legal all year round. I've all of my air rifles delivered to my front door. Calibers to include, .22, .25, .30, .357, and .50, yes 50 cal. I'm a retired MARINE with more than the average person's level of experience with fire arms. The only firearms I own are ones with sentimental value. Anyway, good on you, enjoyed your review. Bert Felix MSgt USMC RETIRED Semper Fi.

[@patrickmurray9409]

Cow elk one of the most tastiest animal out there. Let alone whitetails etc.

[@cousinfuzzy4544]

My aunts parrot gets mad if you line his cage with the Washington COMPOST!

[@motocross6539]

Hopefully the out of states go there.

[@philipfreeman72]

Sabe like Elk too .

[@CplSkiUSMC]

I see wildlife constantly trying to adapt to be able coexist with humans. I call Cody, Wyoming home and there is a substantial deer population that is quite at home right here in town as well. Some people moan and groan about deer browsing on their shrubbery, and some people enjoy having them around... like myself. I don't have the resources to buy land outside of town, but even though I'm stuck in town I still consider that I'm a part of nature and live in the natural world. Those who bemoan wildlife consuming their trees and shrubs have clearly separated themselves from the natural world and in my opinion don't belong in a place like this. They belong in a high rise building in some big city. There are wildlife enforcement types who need to stop harassing people who are trying to adapt to coexist with wildlife by providing a little food when times are tough or simply having friendly interactions with animals that are learning live among us. If you ask me, it's a symbiotic relationship for people and animals both. Let's face it, dogs and cats were once wild too.

[@jk-kr8jt]

Ron, very nicely done video. You hit the high points well. People tend to forget or never knew, that the elk used to roam from sea to shining sea. Yeah I know a few pockets exist here and there, east of the Mississippi, interesting that nobody want to fixate on the human over population and lack of habitat east of the big muddy. Sure save as much habitat as possible, but WE, humans (had to count myself in that group) are the problem. With that being said, I've never been a fan of the Jackson feeding program. It very well could be a Hotspot for disease, it is also a great Hotspot for genetic mixing. Sometimes a "Wyoming" elk will fallow an "Idaho" herd back home and so on. Not really a bad thing, provided the groups are healthy. Cheers Jeff

[@michaelgarrow3239]

I enjoy Elk liver. Especially in camp!

[@heart14282]

Jackson hole has all kinds of rich people yuppys

[@andyeighttre]

It’s somehow worse than Bend Oregon🤢

[@heart14282]

@@andyeighttre ruining hunting in Jackson hole

[@kirkboswell2575]

I once worked with an "animal lover". She supported every animal rights organization that came into her sight. I told her, one shift, that if she truly cared about animals, she should buy a hunting license. Naturally incensed, initially, I told her "you don't have to use it, just buy it. Doing that will do more good, for more animals, than ALL of the animal organizations she currently supported. Long story short, I had to show her what hunting licenses supported, but I find it VERY interesting that, while she continues to support animal rights organizations, she VERY FAITHFULLY buys a hunting license every year.

[@darrendavis7699]

Few things in life are as good as fresh elk tenderloin properly seasoned done medium rare over coals.

[@davidteague5461]

I agree with u . Hunters spend lots of money helping wildlife. Just so they don’t loose the wildlife. Plus habitat building.

[@cameroncassel994]

I am here in southwest Wyoming we do have lots of elk very true but they are smart. The elk hide in federal land no shoot zones. Anytime there is from 500 to 3500 head on the safe zone, makes hunting very interesting!!!

[@oldgandy5355]

Deer and elk can read. They know and understand the hunting rules and when the seasons are open, and which areas are closed. Too bad many hunters cannot read as well as the elk do.

[@cameroncassel994]

@@oldgandy5355 very true.

[@bryangrote8781]

They sure can. More literate than some people I know.

[@patriot6350]

Elk use migration routes passed down from generations, prosperity cut these routes off and elk adapted unfortunately the historic migration routes have been bread out o er generations and all the overpasses built you still need to reintroduce these historic routes somehow.

[@graydoncarruth5044]

I would offer an additional thought on the Jackson Hole situation. Those houses and golf courses cost more than any but a tiny handful of people can afford.

[@WHOTEEWHO]

too many elk??? ship them to Tennessee!!!

[@oldgandy5355]

Amen to that. Lets throw in some of the big Wyoming and Montana mulies while we are at it. I will even bring you a couple Willow switches in case a bear sneaks in with them. I lived in Wyoming for several years and I do miss the hunting up there.

[@louisefarley8285]

Or Australia

[@tt600pch]

Just don't ship them in clay blocks or paper plates ! Now that would be a really fun video...

[@Andy.E5454]

Unrelated to the video but what do you think about the .204 Ruger?

[@ronlowney4700]

🧐 To make your argument, just present how much good the conservation groups, funded by hunters, are doing for all of our Wildlife and for public access! Yep! 😁

[@cecilguinard7828]

Sounds like the same problem with wild buffalo herds

[@bekkerbosbeer3453]

Hi Ron, in south africa on a farm in the karoo there's been a drought, thus the owners/management doesn't allow hunting of some species to give these species chance to recuperate and reproduce....that's conservation from a hunting lodge.Thank again for a interesting informative video.

[@notsogreat123]

More than likely devastated by wolves !!

[@andyeighttre]

There are documented reports of introduced Canadian Wolf’s killing over 30 elk in 1 night. Only to eat 2 or 3 calves from cow’s bellies. Yup, that’s the hunters fault…

[@bryangrote8781]

I’ve seen many types of common predators in my state do this. Red fox used to kill a dozen lambs at a time in one night on my Grandparents farm and would usually only partially eat a couple. Coyotes were even worse as they also went after the ewes and often would only tear them up without fully killing them. Seen cats both wild species and domestic/feral do it many times. Predators that hunt in packs or pairs are the worst though. Totally false that only humans hunt for sport. All predators enjoy the kill.

[@mollybug9325]

This article from the paper wants all about us living in cities.

[@hamblin113]

May need to include the National Parks nearby due not allow elk management, so population isn’t reduced before winter. It would seam the wolves would go to work.

[@wyfromewa5618]

Grand Teton National Park has an elk reduction program that has allowed hunting since the 60’s in designated sections of the park.

[@dschurr6003]

People that write articles like that probably think that chocolate milk comes from a brown cow also !

[@mdagley1429]

From the moment of birth to the instant of death these animals are hunted 24/7/365. As you said, it's nature's way.

[@derekedgley5074]

Ron why don’t you send this blog to the reporter or better still get to meet her with a view to her getting a greater awareness of the problem or you write an article to the editor for publication as your blog couldn’t have been more succint

[@andreasgauckler3152]

Hunters are always the scapegoat. Starting with the extermination of the Bison in the 1800. It is more likely that the Bison died from diseases transmitted by cattle to which the Bison was not resistant. It's hard to believe that the few hunters in the 1800s would have been able to kill 60 million Bison over a period of less than 10 years. However, the Pronghorn came almost to extinction due to hunting. The biggest issue for the reduction in wildlife is overpopulation, decline of habitat therefore and the vast exploration of outdoor activists into areas which was previously a safe area for wildlife.

[@WillyK51]

Remember, a city raised(prb. in an Apartment)left wing minded person, that barely sees animals in NY, exept in central park or some pidgeons outside his window, is an frustrated environmentalist, anty gun, pro outlaw/protestor rights laws, defunding police, All they do is take a banner to get noticed, anyone of them will pitch some of their money into what they preach? Younger myself would spent every weekend out in the Catskills with real wildlife, creeks and lakes, camping ,fishing, hiking and hunting, pitching to the local economy, hard earned money for licences (was making $4.50 an hour in those days) A year combined license was $30, 1 Deer meant I wouldnt buy Beef for a year, 1 14 lbs Weakfish out of Jones Beach, not buying fish several month, Mean Squirrel stew I made, If I sold all my Hunting/Fishing gear( and the taxes on it helped buy land, restore environment) would be able to buy fish and meat at the market till I die.

[@sakostwwy1903]

It’s a simple frame of mind. If they were not shot, then there would be more of them. Right!? Of course we know that’s not true. However, at the same time the mule deer herds in WY are down a huge amount. Now ask how many hunters will still hunt them knowing the numbers are down and the G&F will still put out tags? So can you really say that hunters are actually that responsible in their practice? They will still hunt because of greed and entitlement by saying they feed their families which we all know is total horse shit. For what it costs for a week of hunting you can buy a full beef. I put in this year to hunt the invasive white tail deer so I can do my part and let the mule deer breed and populate and hopefully help their habitat by eliminating competition.

[@CrimeVid]

Randy Selby says there aren’t any elk,due to the re-introduction and lack of control of grizzly bears and wolves So who is right ? personally I am in favour of re wilding all golf courses, not to say that all golf should cease, but that they must share with elk and deer and their predators ! all hunting and trapping (apart from beaver) will of course be banned on golf courses, and elk must be allowed to eat the rough. If a moose is eating the weeds in your water hazard you must politely ask it if you can have your ball back. Hold on, I’m getting carried away with this !

[@joelmcmahan7386]

A golf course above my house with hundreds of home around it. The people who live there tried to stop hunters from getting to thousands of acres of public land by protesting and trying to block the road. They blamed hunters for low deer numbers, but a game warden got to watching it and found nearly 100 dead deer around the golf course. Turns out they were using chemicals to keep deer off the grass that poisoned them. Now most of the people who know what happened are gone and the Whole thing is starting over, since it was over 20 years ago it’s been forgotten and going down the same road again, sorry bout the long reply it’s just something I wanted to tell. Best of luck to you and yours. 👍

[@CrimeVid]

@@joelmcmahan7386 Thank you for your story, keep telling it, in local papers,blogs ,whatever. You will have gathered I am not much of a fan of golf, or people !

[@joelmcmahan7386]

Hunting is conservation and all the fees that they pay goes into Wildlife. We started a group to go in public lands and help our animals by sowing grass seed, planting trees to stop spot lighters and many other things. In the five year period not one person who claims to love animals that didn’t hunt showed up only hunters. It was put out in local media channels to anyone interested in conservation come meet and work to benefit our public land Wildlife not as a hunters only group. We spent our own money on building food plots, planting oak and fruit baring trees. The invitation to come was run for three years to anyone willing to help our public land Wildlife, not one single (animal lover) showed up, just the original conservation group that was and still is hunters came to help. Tired of hunters being blamed for low animal numbers when non hunters never put in one dollar or one minute to help animals except to run hunters down and use the same land for bike riding, walking, camping or other outdoor activity that doesn’t put one cent into our public land Wildlife. Hunters we are all on the same team no matter the animal or weapon we choose to use and hunt with or for. Good hunting and yes Sir Ron Hunt honest and shoot straight, Gods speed to you all. 🦃🦌🐻🐺🐏🐟💪🏽💪🏽💯👍

[@billhatcher2984]

Most of the writers know in there hearts but lying sounds better to the misinformed and they don't want to be informed by knowledgeable people

[@Strutingeagle]

Hunting by wolves.

[@WillyK51]

Poachers, meat hunters and fishing make game disapear when you put a price on it, used to go hunting and fishing with a fella/tag allong that helpedout in camp, and every time he saw game you could see $ in his eyes, Hind $$, ribs $$ etc. the more you kill the more $ in your pocket

[@Dantakurasaki]

Poachers yes, meat hunters no. Any proper meat hunter is going to respect his tag limits.

[@WillyK51]

@@Dantakurasaki By meat hunters, I didnt mean hunters with a tag, shot my share of does with the anterless tag for my own consumption, meat for sale. If freezer is Full with a nice buck no more deer unless a friend in need

[@northwoodsdad7506]

There is a big difference between old school hunters and what most are now. Most "hunters" now are fat, lazy trophy killers. They are more interested in baiting the animals to their heated enclosed hunting condo so they can kill the animal with the biggest rack etc. How many "hunters" hate wolves because they "compete" with them and kill deer. Yet where there is a wolf population the deer are much healthier and you typically don't find CWD etc. People have gotten greedy and lazy while forgetting that a day in the woods without a shot is still a great day and the reason men hunt.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

I agree with your last sentence, but there is a strong cadre of tough wilderness hunters who prowl the deep wilderness, work for their game, and respect and appreciate their hunting heritage.

[@playinhooky11]

Wildlife can be tamed by politics,get a certain type of thinking in a certain place and whammy someone has taken the wild out of wildlife and adopted all living things as their pets and think otherwise you are the outlaw of the present.

[@Seek.YouWillFind]

Ron you are making too much sense!! People don’t want to hear they are the problem… not hunters

[@standingbear998]

big lie. BS