2013 – Seven Years of exceptional wildlife adventures!

     As we start another great winter season of wildlife observation, we stop to reflect on the past seven years that BrushBuck has been providing unforgettable wildlife tours and the staff and guests that have made these memories so great. A warm and heartfelt thank you to everyone for making BrushBuck what it is today!
     Our 2012-2013 winter season has been fantastic so far! Our wolf trips are off to a great start with wolves being observed in Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, and the National Elk Refuge as well. The bighorn sheep, elk, and bison are settling in to their wintering grounds as are the moose and mule deer. Winter snows in the Jackson Hole valley have been a little shallow, which is allowing us to see more pronghorn this winter. There are always a few pronghorn that choose to winter in Jackson Hole rather than make the 300 + mile migration south and east to the Green River Basin. Why this is, we do not know. Perhaps they are learning how to ski, but we haven't seen a pronghorn on the aerial tram, yet. In all seriousness, it is important to observe these animals at a good distance, especially in the winter. Forage is sparse and travelling through snow is tough on the pronghorn. The more stress we can relieve them of, the better off the will be throughout the winter months and into spring when the does with give birth to their fawns. The bull moose are shedding their antlers at this time of year while some cow moose are still tending their calves born last spring and others are in gestation. Did you know that the bull moose are typically the first members of the deer family to shed their antlers? This is primarily because shedding antlers makes foraging that much easier during the harsh months of cold weather.
     Here's another fun fact, albeit having to do with an animal that is found outside the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Over Christmas break, we were asked some questions about caribou, which outside of North America are referred to as reindeer. Caribou are the only member of the deer species where both the males (bulls) and females (cows) grow antlers. Interesting enough, but have you ever wondered, why? There are two popular theories behind this. One is that the cow caribou has antlers to better protect her offspring from predators. The other theory is that the antlered cow caribou benefit by confusing adult bull caribou when it comes to identifying the young or sub-adolescent bulls in the herd are. Mature bull caribou are more apt to try to run the younger bulls out of the herd because they (the mature bulls) see the young bulls as competition. By confusing the mature bulls, the younger ones can stay in the herd longer and grow bigger and stronger before leaving the herd. This is beneficial as it gives the bull a greater chance for survival and ensuring the family genes get passed on!
     As we start another great year, we hope you get a chance to join us for an unforgettable and great adventure out in the majestic western backdrop we call home. We'd love to have you and show you an incredible time!
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Sincerely,
The Staff @ BrushBuck Guide Services!