Wildlife research shows that at least nine major elk herds converge upon Yellowstone National Park in spring and then leave the high country when heavy snows arrive. Most of those herds utilize Wilderness areas on adjacent national forests as safe passageways that are free from human development and a lot of human disturbance. Thousands of elk%2C including members of the famous Gallatin Herd move through the Porcupine and Buffalo Horn to the Madison Valley and western Gallatin Valley. Many elk live in the Porcupine and Buffalo Horn year-round%3B the drainages serve as important calving grounds for cow elk that seek out secure habitat. Elk no longer move through Big Sky in the great numbers they used to. Photo courtesy Neal Herbert%252FNPS