Elk NetworkHunters Sought to Thin Wind Cave National Park Elk Herd

Conservation | December 23, 2017

The National Park Service and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks are seeking eight volunteers to take part in a limited elk hunt in Wind Cave National Park. The goal is to reduce the rate of Chronic Wasting Disease within the herd. Meat that is not infected with CWD will be donated to a food bank.

A lottery system will select volunteers for the February hunt.

There are currently 260 elk in the park. Wildlife managers prefer the herd number about 232 animals which is at the low end of the population objective.

(Photo source: National Park Service)