Page 82 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2019 PORTUGAL

As we circled the herd we could see many elk Each arch is supported by a steel frame and
were sporting full antler racks, but they is composed of about 2,000 antlers.
wouldn’t for long, as March is the typical After we left the refuge our guide drove off in
month for elk to shed. We were there in late search of other animals. He located a herd of
February. bighorn sheep foraging in snow on a
The antler shed is a big event for the rather vertical rock wall. A group of
town of Jackson. The elk scatter the five had broken away and stood on
antlers throughout the refuge, and top of this precipice, and two of
local Boy Scout troops are invited them decided to test their strength
into the refuge to collect them. In by bashing their heads together. Our
May the town of Jackson celebrates snow coach could venture down
a multi-day Elk Fest, during which the roads other vehicles could not
antlers are auctioned off to bidders, access, and we followed a stream
with some of the proceeds going to through a white landscape. A bald
support the National Elk Refuge. We eagle sat in a tree keeping watch
visited the Town Square, where an arch over the stream, probably for fish. Ducks
constructed of elk antlers graces each corner. played in the water despite the freezing

82 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE WINTER/SPRING 2024