JACKSON, Wyo. — Across southern, central and western Wyoming, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is actively monitoring the impacts that this past winter is having on big game populations.
As a result of extreme winter impacts, Game and Fish wildlife managers have made significant adjustments to hunting season proposals in many areas of the state.
When formulating hunting season recommendations wildlife managers evaluate forage availability, disease prevalence and winter mortality.
Initial season proposals were presented during public meetings around the state in March. After considering the ongoing impacts of winter and the overwhelming public concern, wildlife managers modified their recommendations in areas with extreme winter mortality. A new set of draft regulations will be posted online and presented to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission during its season-setting meeting April 18.
“As we have seen this week, we are still experiencing extreme winter conditions and significant wildlife mortality in many areas of the state,” said Game and Fish Chief Game Warden Rick King. “The department may make additional regulation changes for the Commission’s considerations up until the time we present them. Our 2023 season proposals will reflect a very conservative approach.”
Game and Fish is closely monitoring big game distribution and has the ability to seek an emergency regulation in order to delay the opening of the antler collection season to protect big game on winter ranges.
This winter’s severe weather has impacted Wyoming wildlife and pushed a number of species into developed areas.
In March, tracked mule deer fawns in the Jackson/Pinedale regions showed a greater than 50 percent mortality in the Wyoming Range herd.
Later that month, Governor Gordon and Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Brian Nesvik, along with Dr. Kevin Monteith, went to Pinedale to discuss Wyoming wildlife impacted by the extreme winter weather and hear directly from community members.
According to Nesvik, Game and Fish will continue monitoring mortality to determine hunting season and available licenses this year.
Hunters can stay informed on the upcoming hunting season and winter impacts by signing up for the Game and Fish Hunting Update.
