![goats, mountain goat,](https://snowbrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-25-at-08.45.15-min.png)
Grand Teton National Park, WY, is continuing a multi-year program to eradicate the non-native mountain goat as part of a management plan aimed to conserve a native and vulnerable population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the Teton Range. The program includes a qualified volunteer culling program this fall, September 22-October 25, to remove non-native mountain goats from the park.
The use of qualified volunteers is a tool identified in the National Park Serviceโs 2019 Mountain Goat Management Plan. There is widespread interest among local, state, and national stakeholders in conserving the Teton Range bighorn sheep herd.โฏThe National Park Serviceโฏis working on this project in cooperation withโฏfederalโฏandโฏstateโฏpartners, includingโฏthe Wyoming Game and Fish Department and with guidance identified in theย 2019ย John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.
A park culling program took place in the fall of 2020 with 108 qualified volunteers successfully and safely removing 43 non-native mountain goats. It is estimated that approximately 50 goats remain in the park.
In the interest of safety and efficiency, the park is only drawing on qualified volunteers who were trained and participated in the program last year. There are significantly fewer mountain goats in the park, and removal will be exceedingly more difficult. The park will not be accepting new applicants for the volunteer program.
Last yearโs participants must undergo a background check again andย may not have active warrants, past wildlife violations, or violations associated withโฏGrand Teton National Park. Volunteers identified as shooters must successfully pass a mandatory firearm proficiency evaluation. All volunteersย are United States citizens and at least 18 years of age.
The Teton Range is home to a small herd of native bighorn sheep that is currently estimated to have at least 125 animals.โฏAsโฏone of the smaller and most isolatedโฏherdsโฏin Wyomingโฏthatโฏhas never been extirpated or augmented, itโฏis of high conservation value to the park, adjacent land and wildlife managers, and visitors.โฏThe National Park Service has a responsibility to protect native species and reduce the potential for the local extinction of a native species within the park.
Mountain goats are not native to Grand Teton National Park.โฏMountain goats were introduced into the Snake River Range in Idaho, and over the years, their populationโฏexpandedโฏand reached the Teton Range. Mountain goats can carry bacterial diseases that are lethal to bighorn sheep. The Teton Range bighorn sheep population has been relatively isolated and is therefore likely โnaรฏveโ to these diseases.
Without immediate intervention, the mountain goat population is expected to grow and could contribute to the potential extirpation of the native bighorn sheep.โฏย ย
There are key differences between a culling program in a national park and traditional recreational hunting.
- Culling in a national park is done exclusively for conservation and stewardship purposes, while hunting is primarily for recreation or procuring food.
- Cullingโฏin a national park is conducted under controlled circumstances with the supervision of National Park Service personnel, while hunting is performed at the hunterโs discretion, subject to applicable licensing and laws.
- Volunteers may not keepโฏaโฏtrophy when participating in a culling program in a national park. The meat may beโฏdonated or distributed to Indian Tribes, qualified volunteers, food banks, and other organizations that work to address hunger in accordance with applicable health guidelines.
- Culling in a national park does not generate revenue and does not include fair chase.
It’s kinda like wild horses, they are non-native and bad for the natural ecosystem.