JACKSON (WNE) — A large swath of the high Tetons is off limits this week to buffer the public from contracted aerial gunners who have their sights set on non-native mountain goats.

The area closure, which includes the north and west slopes of the iconic Cathedral Group, began Sunday and will extend as late as Jan. 12. Grand Teton National Park officials said the area will be entirely closed to human entry for “public and operational safety.”

The weather-dependent operations kicked off with reconnaissance flights to map out where the 100 or so estimated goats are spending their winter. The gunning, contracted to Oregon-based Baker Aircraft, will use non-lead rounds from a shotgun or rifle. Goat killing was tentatively set to begin Monday, Teton Park spokeswoman Denise Germann said.

“We’re trying to be efficient and effective — so doing this as fast as possible in the most efficient way — and we believe that the aerial operations does that,” Germann said.

The purpose of Grand Teton Park’s mountain goat eradication efforts is to help the mountain range’s struggling native bighorn sheep.