JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - Artificial feeding of elk on the National Elk Refuge has begun in response to complaints about elk feeding on haystacks and commingling with cattle.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department asked the refuge to begin artificial feeding on Jan. 11 after fielding complaints, according to Game and Fish biologist Doug Brimeyer.

There was plenty of natural forage for elk in Jackson Hole until late December, when deep snow began prompting elk to seek easy meals in ranchers' hay.

Dan Winder, a resident of the Cache Creek area, reported more than 40 elk around his hayfield recently. He also found about 15 elk in a corral eating his hay and was worried about the safety of an expensive stallion.

Several years ago, a bull elk gored one of his colts in the neck. "I don't mind feeding a few elk," he said. "What I'm mainly concerned about is the safety of my animals."

Winder said he was among the people who pushed for the refuge to begin feeding.

Refuge manager Barry Reiswig said that wolf activity had contributed to pushing elk off the refuge and onto private land. On Friday, wolves pushed 300-400 elk to the northeastern corner of the refuge, putting the elk near a ranch.

"We've had more wolf activity this fall than we've ever had," Reiswig said.

Preventing elk from mingling with cattle has been a state priority following a string of brucellosis outbreaks in western Wyoming starting in November 2003. Cattle in two herds in Teton County tested positive for exposure to the disease and both herds had to be destroyed.

Brucellosis infects elk, bison and cattle and causes animals to abort their first pregnancy. In rare cases, brucellosis can be a human health threat.

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