The management of the elk population at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has been
the subject of a long-standing controversy among wildlife biologists,
with critics of the winter feeding program predicting that such
intervention would result in overpopulation, habitat destruction,
disease and chaos. After more than 75 years in which hay has been
provided during the winter months in most years, the elk population is
flourishing and is for good measure one of the most intensively studied
and managed wildlife populations in North America. This detailed study
of migration, population dynamics, harvesting strategies, winter feeding
programs and range relationships in the Jackson elk herd provides a
classic study in wildlife management. As such it will have wide appeal
to professionals and students in wildlife biology, resource management
and applied ecology.