Posts Tagged ‘elk’

Wildlife Tours

Posted on: August 21st, 2019 by The Hole Concierge No Comments

Expert guides will lead you on the adventure of a lifetime. Their local knowledge is key to finding the wildlife and understanding how these animals move throughout and relate to this vast and varied ecosystem. These tours will also touch on Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, depending upon which type of wildlife tour you choose.

elk refuge winter 2

The best wildlife viewing can be found in the early mornings and evenings. One can anticipate seeing elk, moose, bear, eagles, big horn sheep, buffalo, coyotes, swans and pronghorn antelope. The guide generally chooses a tour route based on their knowledge of recent wildlife sightings and the groups interests.

yellowstone national park bison

Tours will additionally cover some of the areas history and geology to round out this educational opportunity.

Concierge’s Tip

Some local transportation services do have guides that can tour people through the valley for an hourly private driver fee starting at about $90/hr. This is great for people short on time. One can always combine a short tour with airport transportation to fill the void on your travel day. If you have a 1pm flight or later, get a guide for a few hours on the way to the airport. The Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park are on the way after all.

General Information

Pricing for the various trips range from around $100 a person for adding onto a group tour up to $200+ a person for private full day tours. Some guides supple snacks and water, for full day adventures lunch is usually included.

For more information on wildlife and other activities in Jackson Hole, please contact us.

ElkFest/Antler Auction

Posted on: April 22nd, 2019 by thcAdmin No Comments

May 18 & 19, 2019

Each Spring the local boy scout troop collects antlers shed by elk each Winter on the National Elk Refuge here in Jackson. After collecting and sorting the shed antlers they hold an auction downtown. A large portion of the proceeds go towards funding operations on the National Elk Refuge. Should you decide to jump into the bidding, the prices are per pound, not per antler bundle.
elk antler auction jackson WY 2
The town square hosts the “antler auction” by the Boy Scouts and additionally has many collector/vendors with antlers from elk, deer, moose, bison and bighorn sheep horns etc.  The antler sheds tend to be quite impressive, especially the large matched sets which can fetch thousands of dollars per pair.

elk antler auction jackson hole wy

Many trophy racks such as this can be seen and bid on or purchased.

The auction itself is quite a site. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation generally has a display of trophy specimens. This event draws some fairly large crowds for being so early in the season. More information on Elkfest.

2015 ElkFest Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 19

7am: Antler lots for B.S.A. Elk Antler Auction ready for viewing

7am-1pm: Food Court provided by Jackson Youth Baseball – Breakfast includes sweet potato pancakes, coffee, and bottled water. Lunch includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, soft drinks, and bottled water.

8am-2pm: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Great Elk Tour – The Premier traveling conservation exhibit with some of the largest bull elk in the world! Sponsored by the National Elk Refuge.

9am-3pm: Private Antler Sale north of the Town Square on Center Street by Rotary Club.

8am-2pm: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Great Elk Tour – The premier traveling conservation exhibit with some of the largest bull elk in the world! Sponsored by the National Elk Refuge.

9am-1pm: Kids’ Corner – Enjoy educational tables and games. Sponsored by Wyoming Game & Fish, Jackson Hole Weed Management, the National Elk Refuge, and the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum.

9am: Registration for Boy Scouts of America Antler Auction begins.

9am-9:45am: Free concert by Jackson Hole Community Band.

9am-1pm: ElkFest Gifts – Purchase your exclusive Elk Fest t-shirts and ball caps. The Grand Teton Association sponsors the Elk Fest gift booth. All proceeds will benefit the National Elk Refuge.

9am-1pm: Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum booth open.

10am-1 pm: World Famous Jackson Hole Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction

Sunday May 20

The World Famous Jackson Hole High Noon Chili Cook-Off

Kicking off at High Noon(when else?): Teams compete to deliver the best tastes of chili in the West! Professional and amateur teams will take pride to serve you up some of the best chili to wind down the ElkFest weekend. $5 entrance fee. Rain or shine, Town Square is the place to be! A refreshing selection of beer and other beverages will also be available to cool tasters’ palates.

New from Hole Hiking

Posted on: February 8th, 2013 by thcAdmin No Comments

New Winter 2012-13 Nature Excursions

I have just received an update from The Hole Hiking Experience about some new tours that they have to offer. You can turn your day into a true Jackson Hole adventure, by combing tours together into a single package The valley has a lot to offer, let their team of professionals make your day a memorable one. They have put these two new tours together to help you make the most of your time here and experience the beauty of this magical place. If either of these options  look like they are for you, book the tour with them directly to reserve your space today.

Winter Wildlife and Snowshoe

Trip Length- four hours
Rating- all abilities

This unique expedition begins at 8 AM and combines wildlife viewing with a snowshoe tour through Grand Teton Park. Spot wildlife in their natural setting as your local naturalist shares the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Visit habitats of bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer, eagles, Trumpeter swans, and much more. After time spent exploring mixed habitats with optics, you will journey into the forest to look for animal tracks and sign and connect to the landscape on snowshoes. Snowshoe outing is about an hour of experience.

$125 per adult, $95 per child (12 and under), based on two or more people.

Snowshoe and Sleigh

Trip Length- approximately 8 hours
Rating- all abilities

Combine a snowshoe tour in Grand Teton Park with lunch at historic Dornan’s in Moose. End the day with a horse- drawn sleigh ride on the National Elk Refuge as you travel through the majestic elk herd. Your naturalist guide will share winter ecology, adaptations, geology, wildlife behavior, and natural history of this amazing area. Transportation, lunch, snowshoe rental, sleigh ride and optics provided.

$210 per adult, $175 per child (12 and under), based on two or more people.

***these tours do not include the park entry fee***