Idaho Fish and Game to Begin Elk Feeding at Bullwhacker Site

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) announced that elk feeding at the Bullwhacker feed site near Ketchum will begin the week of January 5, 2025, as snow accumulates and temperatures drop. The site, established to keep elk away from nearby communities, historically feeds over 125 elk annually.

Residents and visitors are urged to avoid the feed site to prevent disturbing the elk. Feeding is expected to continue until April 2025. Located west of Ketchum, the Bullwhacker feed site has been a sanctioned annual operation since the 1980s, with periodic feeding dating back to the 1950s. The site’s primary purpose is to lure elk away from Ketchum and Sun Valley, reducing human-wildlife conflicts.

Elk and deer have increasingly become year-round or seasonal residents in the Wood River Valley, leading to more conflicts during winter. Wildlife in urban areas face risks such as vehicle collisions, entanglement in fences, and accidents involving decorative ponds or household structures. IDFG strongly discourages residents from feeding wildlife, as unauthorized feeding can attract animals closer to towns and neighborhoods, exacerbating conflicts.

For more information on reducing human-wildlife conflicts and safely coexisting with wildlife, visit the IDFG website. Questions about winter feeding can be directed to the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.