As many as 16,000 elk are fed each winter on the 22 feed grounds operated by the state at a cost of $1.3 million a year. While the current system of feed grounds in Sublette, Lincoln and Teton counties has been largely in place since the 1960s, the tradition of Wyoming putting out hay for elk

in the winter dates back to the start of the 20th century.

1908 - Hundreds of elk die of starvation during an especially severe winter in Jackson Hole.

1912 - Legislature appropriates $5,000 to feed elk on the National Elk Refuge.

1929 - To prevent large scale die offs due to starvation, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department starts three feed grounds: Green River Lakes, Greys River and Gros Ventre.

1930s - Brucellosis first detected among elk on the National Elk Refuge.

1940s - Brucellosis first detected among elk at Greys River feedground.

Late '40s and '50s To prevent damage to stored and unstored hay, many of the Pinedale feed grounds are started.

1979 - The last feedground added.

1985 - Efforts to vaccinate free-ranging elk at Alpine

feedground using a biobullet system was start.

1985 - Feds declare Wyoming livestock brucellosis free.

1988 - Parker Land and Cattle brucellosis outbreak near Dubois.

1991 - The Game & Fish Department start a program aimed at controlling brucellosis among elk. The program aims to limit the time elk spend in close confines on the feed grounds by feeding for as few days as possible each winter, improving native habitat for elk and vaccinating elk against brucellosis.

2003 - Sublette County herd tests positive for brucellosis

2004 - Animals sold from Sublette County herd test positive for brucellosis; Wyoming loses its brucellosis-free status.

Source: Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Brucellosis Task Force