JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Researchers are finding that more elk are forgoing longer migration in favor of sticking around Jackson.

In the late 1970s and early '80s less than 2 percent of the Jackson Elk Herd spent summers not far from their wintering grounds in the stretch of Jackson Hole between Moose and Wilson.

New assessments now estimate 40 percent of the herd are sticking close to their winter grounds.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports that the situation is the subject of an upcoming Journal of Wildlife Management article based on research led by U.S. Geological Survey ecologist Aaron Foley and National Elk Refuge biologist Eric Cole.

There's not yet any good management plan to reverse a trend toward more local elk and fewer migratory elk.

___

Information from: Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com