LOCAL
Here Comes the Green!
At a latitude of 43˚ north — almost halfway between the North and South Pole — winters are long in Jackson Hole. Winter ended with 100% of average snowfall this year, which will help to ensure a beautiful summer. The melting snowpack keeps meadows watered and vegetation lush later into the summer season. As the snowbanks give way to the first glimmer of green around the valley, we celebrate the subtle gifts of spring, including longer days, warmer weather, spring blossoms, and a flurry of mating birds. The bears are emerging from their dens and soon the ungulates will begin their birthing season, as we all wait patiently for the trails to melt and hiking season to begin.
Antler Shed Collection Season Begins May 1
New this year: if you are a Wyoming resident, you can gain access the areas that have been closed for wintering wildlife before non-resident antler hunters can. Wyoming residents will be the only ones allowed to collect shed antlers on public lands between May 1 and May 7. Registration for the motorcade closed on April 29 but mark your calendars for next year. Also, don’t forget about the 2024 Elk Antler Auction on the town square on May 18.
Review 2024 Shed Collection Regulations »
REGIONAL
Are Penalties Harsh Enough for Animal Cruelty in Wyoming?
Folks around the globe are stunned by the events that took place last month in Pinedale, Wyoming, when a local man hit a wolf with his snowmobile, disabled it, duct taped its mouth shut, brought it to his home and then to the Green River Bar in Daniel, then allegedly killed the animal out back. A Sublette County investigation is ongoing, after the Wyoming Game and Fish Department only charged the resident with misdemeanor “possession” of a live wolf, and fined him $250, which he paid. The incident has gained global attention from conservation groups, who are again suing for wolf protection in the Rocky Mountains.
Learn more:
- Sheriff to investigate Wyoming wolf abuse allegations following global outrage
- Environmental groups sue over feds’ decision not to restore protections for Northern Rockies wolves
SPIRIT
“The world is book, and those who do not travel, read only one page.”
-Saint Augustine
Field Facts
- Keep an eye out for the first spring blooms.
- The snow buttercup can start to grow under the snow! Look for them at the snow’s edge.
- Violets are used as an early food source and a great source of Vitamin A and C.
- Wolves play a vital role in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to balance nature.
Backcountry Tips
- Don’t forget to view wildlife from a distance: 25 yards for moose and 100 yards for bears and wolves.
- It’s time to carry bear spray.
- Local residents need to lock up any food sources, including garbage cans, compost piles, and bird feeders.
- To preserve single tracks, please don’t travel on muddy trails.
Trail Suggestion
The motto for May is tread lightly. Regardless of your activity choice, leaving ruts and footprints on muddy trails can be avoided. Look for dry trails on south-facing hillsides or take advantage of the river dikes, pathways, and paths in Grand Teton National Park before the busy summer season. If dry, Josie’s Ridge, near the town of Jackson, is a fun place to look for spring flowers and get some great exercise. Enjoy the energy of spring.
