LCPD organizes National Elk Refuge sleigh rides
Tribal members in a horse-drawn sleigh on the National Elk Refuge.
By JEREMY SHAY
Sho-Ban News
JACKSON, Wyo. — 75 Shoshone-Bannock tribal members came out to experience a horse-drawn sleigh ride on the National Elk Refuge Saturday, March 26 in Jackson.
The day began with participants meeting at the Jackson Hole Visitor’s Center where they took a bus ride to the National Elk Refuge entrance. From there, participants were loaded into the sleighs. It was the second day of the Jackson trip organized by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Language and Cultural Preservation Department.
Tribal members were treated to an hour-long tour with views of wildlife species and Teton mountain range scenery. Animals seen on the tour included an elk herd, eagles, geese and other birds.
The five sleighs carrying the tribal member participants were led by Double H Bar, Inc. tour guides that are knowledgeable of the elk herd and other animals in the area.
Elk on the refuge.
The guides explained the elk migration patterns that bring them down to the lower elevation areas of the refuge in the winter months. The closest the tour groups were able to get to the elk were at the bottom of a hillside where they were visible at the top.
Tour guides noted the refuge has received around 8 inches of snow during the winter season. The elk herd tends to gravitate to the few patches of snow that have not yet melted during the early months of spring.
A girl pets a horse after the tour.
Double H Bar, Inc. tours run annually to the public from mid-December through early April at the National Elk Refuge.
At the end of the tour, guides encouraged participants to pet and take photos with the sleigh horses which concluded the day’s events.
The LCPD’s sleigh ride tour and trip was made possible with funding from the Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country grant.
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