Missoula Mount Jumbo Winter Wildlife Closure Extended To March 22

Press release from the City of Missoula:

March 12, 2021

In consultation with wildlife biologists at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Parks and Recreation has extended the Mt. Jumbo South Zone winter wildlife closure to March 22. The closure protects the 75 to 90 elk and other animals which inhabit Jumbo’s lower elevations to feed and regain their strength after a long winter.

According to FWP Wildlife Biologist Liz Bradley, early spring is a critical time for elk because they are coming out of the winter in the poorest physical condition they will be in all year. “For elk and deer, the spring green-up of vegetation can’t come soon enough—so they can start replenishing the physical reserves they lost over the winter. Most years, we see the hillsides starting to green up by mid-to-late March, but that hasn’t happened this year,” Bradley says. “The female elk and deer are doubly stressed as they try to push through these tough conditions carrying young they will deliver in late May and June.” Mount Jumbo's elk herd has remained in the South Zone this year due to excessive snowpack at Jumbo's higher elevations.

Mount Jumbo is closed annually on December 1 to protect wintering wildlife. The “L” Trail and US West Road are open all year. Jumbo’s North Zone, which includes all points north of the Saddle Road, will remain closed until May 1 or later, depending on weather conditions. The South Zone, which includes all points south of Jumbo's Saddle Road, opens Monday, March 22.

The City of Missoula would like to thank its residents for their cooperation in protecting Mount Jumbo's unique natural resources. Visitors are required to stay on the “L” and US West trails and leash their pets to protect wildlife. Please call 911 to report wildlife closure violations. For more information, call 721-PARK (7275.) Maps and more information.

This press release was produced by the City of Missoula. The views expressed here are the author’s own.