The current Teton Park(Wyoming) continues to generate controversy,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Critics say it is no longer needed because wolves are killing elk and 300 dead elk barely affect the Wyoming population of more than 100,000 elk............ They also say the dead elks' gut piles attract grizzly bears, and grizzlies have become habituated to this food source.......... This increases the danger of human-bear encounters that could result in grizzly bear deaths and human injuries

Grand Teton's elk hunt running Oct 8 thru Nov 6

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — The park will issue 750 hunting permits and park managers hope at least 300 elk will be killed. Just 10 percent of the permits are for bull elk.

It's a controversial program for several reasons. Critics say it is no longer needed because wolves are killing elk and 300 dead elk barely affect the Wyoming population of more than 100,000 elk. They also say the dead elks' gut piles attract grizzly bears, and grizzlies have become habituated to this food source. This increases the danger of human-bear encounters that could result in grizzly bear deaths and human injuries.

People who oppose the hunt want the National Elk refuge south of Grand Teton to stop artificially feeding elk and bison. The feeding program began in 1912. Opponents say it attracts elk to the refuge that would have spread out to other areas for the winter, and having thousands of elk close together on the refuge cold be devastating if diseases like chronic wasting disease were to strike.

In August, a federal appeals court confirmed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's obligation to phase out artificial winter feeding of elk and bison at the refuge. The ruling responds to a lawsuit brought by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Wyoming Outdoor Council, National Wildlife Refuge Association and Defenders of Wildlife challenging a 2007 refuge management plan that allowed the indefinite continuation of winter feeding on the refuge despite overcrowding and the threat of diseases.

The court did not order the Fish and Wildlife Service to set a firm deadline for ending the feeding program as the conservationists had requested, but the ruling made it clear that the harmful practice must stop to protect the refuge and the elk.

Under its 1950 enabling legislation, Grand Teton is mandated by federal law to conduct an elk kill program when necessary "for the conservation of the elk population in Jackson Hole," according to a park news release.

The park develops the program with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the Wyoming governor and Secretary of the Interior approve the plan each year.Wyoming-licensed hunters receive limited quota permits in Wyoming hunt areas 75 and 79, which are both inside the park east of the Snake River.

The news release states: "The park's elk reduction program is an important management tool that differs somewhat from other elk hunting programs in the region. The use of archery, handguns, or other non-center fire ammunition rifles is not permitted, nor is the use of artificial elk calls. In addition, hunters, regardless of age, are required to carry a hunter education card, and to carry and have immediately accessible bear pepper spray as a non-lethal deterrent for use during potential bear encounters.

Information packets accompanying each permit advise hunters of the risk of bear encounters and how to minimize the probability of human-bear conflicts. For the past three years, packets have also contained information encouraging hunters to use non-lead ammunition. In 2011, park hunters can receive free non-lead ammunition through a program sponsored by Craighead Beringia South in Kelly, Wyoming in collaboration with the park, National Elk Refuge, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department."
Park officials recommend that visitors wear hunter orange or other bright colors or recreate west of the Snake River.