This winter has been the most difficult one I’ve seen in the
Bear Lake Valley since we moved here in 1999.
So far, snowfall has been over 10 feet and we are sure to get more. Of course, it was more compact on the ground
so it was just a few feet deep, but when combined with thick layers of ice it
has been very difficult for wildlife to find food. There are places where people feed deer and
elk every year in this area, but this year new feeding stations have been set
up to take care of animals that normally make it through winter on their own.
Micah Rigby and R C Hymas on their three-horse sleigh.
In Bear Lake County alone, 20 emergency feed grounds have
been set up for deer, and 4 for elk. I
was fortunate to be able to ride along on a horse-drawn sleigh with fellow
photographer Jim Parker to feed a herd of elk at Banks Valley, Idaho. The public was asked to stay away to avoid
stressing the animals.
Even the horses seemed interested in the elk herd.
A work sleigh with three horses was driven a couple of miles
by R C Hymas and Micah Rigby for the cross country trip to where a herd of
about 400 elk was waiting. The elk have
become accustomed to sleighs at the annual feed grounds, but here the elk were
wild, and they kept their distance. As
the sleigh was driven along the line of elk, sections of hay were kicked off
from four big bales so they would be strung out enough for all the elk to get
to some. They lined up like kids in a
school lunch line to be fed.
These animals were easily spooked and if one started to run,
several would go along, but they wouldn’t go too far as long as they had hay to
eat.
I admire the way these guys handled their horses. The jobs of harnessing and driving these
beautiful animals were second nature to them, and I appreciate all they are
doing to help Idaho’s wildlife.
Jim Parker holds the tired horses while they are unhitched
from the sleigh.
Please be aware that my photos are copyrighted and must not
be used without permission. I often
donate usage for charitable or educational purposes, but require a small fee
for personal use.
