Sundance Times - Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

JACKSON — Alfalfa-spewing elk-feeding trucks and the federal employees who drive them will be deemed “essential” and thus unaffected by the partial government shutdown, but so far the herds are OK without the help.

National Elk Refuge Biologist Eric Cole has been allowed to work part time to determine when feeding is needed, and he has found that grasses are still plentiful and accessible for the approximately 2,800 elk congregated on the refuge’s south end.

“What we’ve had going for us is we haven’t had any significant thaw-freeze cycles, like we often do,” Cole said. “...