Non-Native Mountain Goat Management Qualified Volunteer Program

 

Grand Teton National Park Continues Efforts to Protect Bighorn Sheep.

Qualified volunteers from 2020 invited to cull non-native mountain goats this fall.

The culling of non-native mountain goats from Grand Teton National Park continues begining September 22 as part of a management plan to conserve a native and vulnerable population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the Teton Range.

 

NPS/Bonney

Grand Teton National Park is continuing a multi-year program to eradicate non-native mountain goats 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 Service’s 2019 Mountain Goat Management Plan. There is widespread interest among local, state, and national stakeholders in conserving the Teton Range bighorn sheep herd. The National Park Service is working on this project in cooperation with federal and state partners including the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and with guidance identified in the 2019 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.

 

General Information

In the interest of safety and efficiency, Grand Teton National 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. Removal operations will take place in as many as five different management zones as delineated, see section below. Access to and from these zones will involve long travel distances on foot, limited or no horse access, water crossings (including Jackson Lake), and travel in high-altitude mountainous terrain. Access in some cases may occur across USDA Forest Service lands (Caribou-Targhee National Forest) from the west side of the Tetons. However, participants will be required to begin and end their participation at park headquarters in Moose, Wyoming. Volunteers will be responsible for obtaining their own lodging (if needed) and transportation. Most campgrounds in the area close on or near October 1, and depending on snow fall, camping may be accessible on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The town of Jackson, 13 miles south of Moose, has a wide variety of hotels and restaurants that remain open year-round to include grocery and outfitter stores. Public facilities and amenities may be limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Project Goals

The objective of this effort is to use qualified volunteer teams to assist in the safe eradication of non-native mountain goats in Grand Teton National Park, and, when safe to do so, to remove the edible portions of the animals. Volunteer teams must consist of no fewer than two people and may be as large as six people; teams will be assigned a management zone to operate in. Each team will designate a team leader who is responsible for organizing their team. The volunteer team will attempt to locate and shoot non-native mountain goats within their assigned zone. Volunteers are expected to retrieve and field process carcasses (when reasonable), collect biological samples and gather other statistical information. Volunteers may need to hike up to 20 miles per day at altitude in extremely rough mountainous terrain under a variety of weather conditions (i.e., wind, rain, snow, and below freezing temperatures). Elevations in the park range from 6,320’ to 13,775’ and volunteers can expect to pursue most non-native mountain goats in 3rd through 5th class terrain at elevations ranging from 9,000’ to 12,500’. Teams may take as many non-native mountain goats as is reasonable for their given situation and reasonably attempt to harvest the edible portions from the animals they take. The goal of this culling operation is the safe eradication of non-native mountain goats within the boundaries of the park. Overnight storage of carcasses in the field will be strongly discouraged due to the park’s expanding grizzly bear population and healthy black bear population. Carcasses that are difficult to access or remove may be left on the landscape after being photographed and pinpointed utilizing a GPS. Park management will assign teams to management zones that will maximize potential success, support management priorities, and avoid wildlife or visitor-use conflicts.

Additional questions: e-mail us or call 307-739-3651.

 

Map of Mountain Goat Management Zones (Click for Higher Resolution)

NPS Graphic

Management Zones

Culling operations will take place in as many as five different management zones as delineated on the map. Access to and from these zones will involve long travel distances on foot, limited or no horse access, water crossings (including Jackson Lake), and travel in high-altitude mountainous terrain. Access in some cases may occur across USDA Forest Service lands (Caribou-Targhee National Forest) from the west side of the Tetons. However, participants will be required to begin and end their participation at park headquarters in Moose, Wyoming.

 

Zone	Area	Access
1	Berry Creek to Webb Canyon	Difficult access due to remoteness. Access via Glade Creek trailhead, or via watercraft across Jackson Lake. This zone is also accessible from the Caribou Targhee National Forest. If accessing the zone through Caribou Targhee National Forest, be sure to follow the Forest’s rules and regulations, particularly those regarding stock-use in this area. Volunteers with stock may camp at the designated Berry Creek horse camp near Hechtman Creek. Stock use is limited to maintained trails and the off-trail areas designated in the park compendium.
2	Moran Canyon	Very difficult access and travel, with no trails in this zone. Access via watercraft across Jackson Lake, via Leigh Lake Trailhead (trail ends at Trapper Lake), or via the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. If accessing the zone through Caribou-Targhee National Forest, be sure to follow the forest’s rules and regulations, particularly those regarding stock-use in this area. Stock use not allowed in this zone.
3	Leigh Canyon to Hanging Canyon	Moderate to very difficult access and travel within this zone. There are no trails in this Leigh Canyon portion of zone. Access to this area is via canoe across Leigh Lake, via Leigh Lake Trailhead or via the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. If accessing the zone through Caribou-Targhee National Forest, be sure to follow the Forest’s rules and regulations, particularly those regarding stock-use in this area. Stock use is not allowed in this zone. Access to the Paintbrush Canyon portion of the zone is via Leigh Lake Trailhead. A heavily used trail bisects this zone. Stock use is limited to maintained trails and day-use only. Access TO HANGING CANYON IS via the String Lake trailhead or South Jenny Lake trailhead. Stock use is not allowed in this zone.
4	Cascade Canyon to Garnet Canyon	Access to Cascade Canyon is via South Jenny Lake or String Lake trailheads on a maintained trail. Heavily used trail exists up the main canyon bottom and in the North and South Forks of Cascade Canyon. Volunteers may camp with stock at the designated horse camp in the South Fork of Cascade Canyon. Stock use limited to maintained trails. Access to Teewinot and Garnet Canyons is via Lupine Meadows or Moose Ponds trailheads. A heavily used trail reaches Amphitheater Lake and Garnet Canyon. Stock use limited to maintained trails.
5	Avalanche Canyon to Granite Canyon	Access varies from moderate to very difficult. Access to Avalanche Canyon is via Bradley-Taggart Trailhead or the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. There are no trails in this canyon. If accessing the zone through Caribou-Targhee National Forest, be sure to follow the Forest’s rules and regulations, particularly those regarding stock-use in the area. Stock use not allowed in this zone. Death Canyon can be accessed via Death Canyon Trailhead or the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Granite Canyon is accessed from the Granite Canyon Trailhead or the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. If accessing the zone through Caribou-Targhee National Forest, be sure to follow the Forest’s rules and regulations, particularly those regarding stock-use in the area. Stock use limited to maintained trails.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of this program? The goal is to eradicate non-native mountain goats within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park as quickly as possible. Without intervention, non-native mountain goats could transmit pathogens to or displace native Teton bighorn sheep on very limited winter range and optimal summer habitat.

Why is the park eradicating non-native mountain goats from the Teton range? Non-native mountain goats were introduced into the Snake River Range in Idaho and over the years, expanded their population and reached the Teton Range. Non-native mountain goats can carry bacterial diseases that are lethal to bighorn sheep. The Teton Range bighorn sheep population has been relatively isolated and are therefore likely ‘naïve’ to these diseases. What is the anticipated time frame for meeting this goal? This is a multi-year program. The timing and duration of removal efforts will ultimately depend on weather, density and distribution of non-native mountain goats, and the success of the qualified volunteers. Additional removal and monitoring operations may be required.

Has the park already begun the lethal removal of non-native mountain goats? Yes, in February 2020, an NPS-authorized contractor removed 36 non-native mountain goats using aerial-based lethal removal methods authorized in the park’s non-native mountain goat management plan.

In the fall of 2020, 108 qualified volunteers removed 43 non-native mountain goats.

How many goats and bighorn sheep are in the Tetons? It is estimated that there are approximately 50 non-native mountain goats and 125 native bighorn sheep in Grand Teton National Park.

Are there options for non-lethal removal like live capture and translocation in the plan? Yes, those options exist in the plan but are currently not being implemented. Investigations were made to gauge interest from other states for a capture and translocation effort, but past capture success (15 mountain goats in 5 years of trying) and the resulting costs, coupled with the known disease history of the source population of these non-native mountain goats (Snake River Range, ID/WY) did not garner much interest. Is this an approved management plan? Yes, a Finding of No Significant Impact was signed by the acting regional director, National Park Service Regional Office Serving Department of Interior Regions 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 in September 2019, supporting the Mountain Goat Management Plan Environmental Assessment. Is Grand Teton National Park collaborating with partners and stakeholders? Yes, we are coordinating with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the USDA Forest Service.

What is the projected time frame for utilizing qualified volunteers in 2021? Project operations will begin on September 22 and run through October 25, 2021 (weather permitting).

What is the authority to conduct this type of activity in a national park? The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (54 USC 104909)

SEC. 2410. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN PARKS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 1049 of title 54, United States Code (as amended by section 2409(a)), is amended by adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 104909. <> Wildlife management in parks

``(a) Use of qualified volunteers.--If the Secretary determines it is necessary to reduce the size of a wildlife population on System land in accordance with applicable law (including regulations), the Secretary may use qualified volunteers to assist in carrying out wildlife management on System land.

``(b) Requirements for qualified volunteers.--qualified volunteers providing assistance under subsection (a) shall be subject to--

``(1) any training requirements or qualifications established by the Secretary; and

``(2) any other terms and conditions that the Secretary may require.

``(c) Donations.--The Secretary may authorize the donation and distribution of meat from wildlife management activities carried out under this section, including the donation and distribution to Indian Tribes, qualified volunteers, food banks, and other organizations that work to address hunger, in accordance with applicable health guidelines and such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require.''.

Can a qualified volunteer take (shoot) more than one mountain goat in the performance of their duty? Yes, this is a culling operation with the goal of eradicating non-native mountain goats within the boundaries of the park. Qualified volunteers may lethally remove as many non-native mountain goats as is reasonable for their given situation and should make a reasonable effort to care for and remove the edible portions from the animals they take.

Could non-native mountain goat carcasses be left on the landscape by qualified volunteers? Volunteers should make reasonable efforts to retrieve the edible portions of the animals they take, as long as the terrain is reasonable and allows safe access to the animal.

Who can apply to be a qualified volunteer? Qualified volunteers for the 2021 program will only be recruited from the previous year’s participants. These volunteers must be United States citizens and at least 18 years of age. Qualified volunteers may not have active warrants, past wildlife violations, or violations associated with the Elk Reduction Program. Volunteers must certify that they are physically fit and able to hike and operate in management zones above tree line at altitude and travel in remote and steep mountainous terrain. Volunteers must also pass a mandatory firearm proficiency evaluation (three of five shots in an eight-inch target at 200 yards).

Do volunteers need to be in good physical condition? In order to safely and successfully participate in this program, volunteers must have a high level of physical fitness; volunteers may need to hike up to 20 miles per day at altitude in extremely rough mountainous terrain under a variety of weather conditions (i.e., wind, rain, snow, and below freezing temperatures). Elevations in the park range from 6,320’ to 13,775’ and volunteers can expect to pursue most non-native mountain goats in 3rd through 5th class terrain at elevations ranging from 9,000’ to 12,500’.

Will qualified volunteers be provided training prior to going into the field for operations? Yes, all volunteers will be required to show proficiency with a firearm (if shooting), and will receive training in bear spray deployment, backcountry tracking, radio protocols, species identification, and potentially, disease sample collection.

Are the qualified volunteers considered employees of the National Park Service? Yes.

Do I need a valid hunting license to participate? No, a qualified volunteer (shooter) needs proof of a Certificate of Competency and Safety in the Use and Handling of Firearms otherwise known as a state-issued hunter safety card (regardless of age or state). Law enforcement and military exemptions to hunter safety cards will not be accepted.

What will happen to the meat brought out of the field by qualified volunteers? Per the Dingell Act, the meat may be donated or distributed to Indian Tribes, qualified volunteers, food banks, and other organizations that work to address hunger, in accordance with applicable health guidelines. Successful volunteers will be eligible to keep the meat equivalent of one mountain goat per volunteer or they may choose to donate the meat. Meat shall be possessed through a Wyoming Game and Fish donation coupon.

Does a harvested mountain goat need to be tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD)? No, only deer, moose, and elk can contract CWD. Bovids are the “horned” members of the even toed ungulate order (hoofed animals). Deer are “antlered” even toed ungulates.

Can a volunteer keep the cape, head, or horns? No, the qualified volunteers are only eligible to receive a meat donation through a Wyoming Game and Fish Department donation coupon. The cape and horns must be left at the site of kill. However, members of Indian Tribes who participate as qualified volunteers may be eligible to keep additional portions of the mountain goat.

Will this program require temporary closures to areas of the park? It is possible that specific areas of the park will need to be temporarily closed during non-native mountain goat management activities if park staff determine this is necessary to ensure public safety. Closures of specific areas could last for several hours, days, or for the duration of the management activities.

What is the group size? Minimum group size is two and the maximum size is six. The team leader must be an identified shooter and may be assisted by 1-5 shooting or non-shooting helpers. Complete information for all intended shooters must be provided at the time of application.

Are qualified volunteers required to carry bear spray? Yes, a minimum size of 7.9 oz, EPA registered, readily accessible, and NON-expired bear spray must be carried by each volunteer. This will be provided by the NPS.

What else will the NPS provide to the qualified volunteers? Radio and satellite communication devices for use while conducting operations. Applicants are accountable for all equipment provided and must return the equipment at the conclusion of their operation.

How will successful qualified volunteers and others legally transport mountain goat meat after leaving the park and crossing state lines? A Wyoming Game and Fish Department donation coupon will be issued. How will qualified volunteers be identified in the field? Each volunteer will be issued an NPS volunteer uniform item which must be worn while actively participating in non-native mountain goat removal operations.

What caliber of weapons must be used by the qualified volunteer? Volunteers must use a rifle of a minimum caliber .25 bottlenecked ammunition with at least a 100-grain bullet.

What type of ammunition will be used for this program? Qualified volunteers must use non-lead ammunition. Can a qualified volunteer use a silencer on their rifle? Yes, silencers are encouraged but not required, in accordance with federal laws on silencer possession and use.

Will shooters need to show proficiency in marksmanship? If applying as a shooter, you will be required to demonstrate your skill during the training day by putting three of five shots, using the ammunition and rifle that you will use in the field, in an 8” target from 200 yards. Failure to do so will be cause for termination of an individual from the program.

What time frame are qualified volunteers applying for? Volunteer groups will be assigned to one of periods: 9/22-27, 9/29 -10/4, 10/6-11, 10/13-18, and 10/20-25, weather permitting. Each session starts with a mandatory training day, followed by up to five days in the field.

May qualified volunteers apply for multiple operational periods? Volunteers will be asked to indicate which dates they are available, and preferences for sessions if they are available for more than one. Weather and other conditions may cause the cancellation of a session. If a team is only available for one week they must select that week for all four preferences.

Can qualified volunteers pick what area they will be culling in? Volunteers will select their management zones during the application process in order of preference. Park management will assign teams to management zones that will maximize potential success, support management priorities, and avoid wildlife or visitor use conflicts. All areas are difficult to access, and most are extremely challenging. Potential applicants should review the area maps and descriptions before choosing.

Will volunteer teams need a backcountry permit for overnight stays in the management zone they are assigned? No. Teams will be provided guidance based on their specific circumstance on the best location to camp. All backcountry camping regulations (no fires, food storage, party size, camping in designated areas, etc.) will be in effect.

Can volunteers use stock while participating as a qualified volunteer? Only zones 1 and 6 are conducive to stock-supported camping and subsequent removal effort, thus volunteers reliant on stock will be limited in their options to participate in non-native mountain goat removal. Please review stock regulations if you intend to utilize this resource. In particular, 1) stock use is limited to park-maintained trails and may not leave the trails for any purpose to include scouting and mountain goat carcass retrieval; 2) stock users must provide all certified weed-free feed that is necessary for the entire operation; and 3) grazing on park vegetation is not allowed. Prior to arriving, volunteers should read Grand Teton National Park’s webpage regarding stock-use inside the park.

How is this culling operation different than the Elk Reduction Program? This culling operation is a management action to eradicate non-native mountain goats in the park as quickly as possible in order to protect the park’s bighorn sheep population. The Elk Reduction Program is used for managing part of the native Jackson elk herd, the largest elk herd in North America. Congress authorized the Elk Reduction Program in 1950 as part of the legislation that expanded the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. This legislation included a provision to manage the elk population through an annual elk reduction program when necessary.