Since the mid-1990’s, Wyomings elk population has experienced tremendous growth as have elk across the entire mountain west. The biologists in charge of managing these majestic game animals have many theories as to why elk numbers have exploded across the west. Wyoming’s statewide population estimate stands at 113,000 animals, which is almost double the elk population just 25 years ago! The Southern Bighorn herd where SNS conducts our cow elk hunts, has now grown to become Wyomings 3rd largest herd. The Wyoming Game and Fish manages this herd via 6 hunt units and issues 3050 licenses for cow elk within this elk herd.

This herd seems to have stabilized in terms of total animals. The game and fish has been trying to bring elk numbers down within this herd but it's been difficult. Elk are prolific and very well suited when it comes to surviving Wyomings winter weather. Because of the vast ranch range, this elk herd can move over an incredible amount of country in order to find winter feed. The seasonal movement of elk is large and the cows seek out more secluded areas to have their calves. Elk prefer well watered areas with lush grass and trees to seek shaded shelter during the heat of the day. The very large working cattle ranch that we hunt provides some of the best year round habitats to be found in the Bighorns Mountains.

We’ve received a great deal of questions recently about a giant crack in the earth that recently appeared on a ranch where we operate in the southern foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Thinking it was interesting, but not knowing that it would get so much attention, we posted a photo on our Facebook page. After being shared more than 7,000 times, we started receiving a flood of questions and comments.

Here’s what we know so far: we have two outfitted camps on this ranch. We hunt here every year and have been doing so for decades. Our guides first noticed the giant fissure in early October. We couldn’t tell what had caused so much earth to suddenly move, but it certainly had not been there long.

A couple of weeks later, an engineer from Riverton, WY joined us to take a closer look. We walked the perimeter and took estimates on size using a rangefinder. We estimated the crevasse to be about 750 yards long and about 50 yards wide.

According to the engineer, there was a cap rock being lubricated by a spring. Additionally there was a spring running across east to west, which then caused the entire thing to slide north. The engineer estimated about 15 to 20 million yards of movement. According to the USGS, there has been no seismic activity, so we have no other possible explanations at this time.

Since posting the photo on Facebook, we’ve received countless offers from geologists, scientists and reporters from all over the world to come and take a look at this fascinating event. It truly is incredible to look at, a canyon that formed almost overnight – a mountainside that seems to have suddenly collapsed.

As we speak with experts and learn more about it, we will share updates here and on our Facebook page.

SNS Outfitter and Guides is Wyoming’s top outfitter and the largest pronghorn antelope outfitter in North America. With more than 700,000 acres of private land and prime wildlife habitat, we offer more hunting opportunities that anyone else in the state. If you’d like to find out more about our hunts, please visit our website at HuntWyo.com. For availability and specifics, please contact us online to request a free brochure.