JACKSON, Wyo. — The Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) has announced that starting Sunday, Dec. 1, winter wildlife restrictions are in effect on the Jackson and Blackrock ranger districts to protect the south-facing slopes and low elevation habitat crucial for wildlife to survive winter. Dec. 1 also marks the transition from wheeled motor vehicle use to over-snow vehicle use and leash requirements for dogs in select areas.
According to a BNTF press release, forest staff are posting boundary and trailhead signing to provide the information people need to know to enjoy the winter environment safely and responsibly. Free winter travel maps are available at district offices, and people are encouraged to download the free Avenza Map app that allows viewing locations to navigate the forests.
Protecting wildlife
The BTNF stresses that designated winter closure areas are essential for wildlife’s survival. When people or their dogs enter closed winter range, wildlife is forced to move away, a retreat that requires animals like deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep to use energy they cannot spare as they deal with cold temperatures and limited forage.
Around Jackson, some of the key areas closed to all human presence to protect wintering wildlife include Josie’s Ridge and the slopes above Highway 89 south to Game Creek, the slopes above Cache Creek and Nelson drive, the slopes above Hoback Canyon and the slopes north of the Gros Ventre Road.
The wildlife winter range closure also includes the A&W trail between Adams and Wilson canyons south of Jackson. This trail crosses three different jurisdictions – Teton County, National Forest and the Jackson Hole Land Trust. To provide consistency across the entire trail and recognize the importance of big game winter range in the area, the existing closure on the JH Land Trust parcel was expanded to encompass the entire trail. As an alternative, Teton County is providing winter access to the nearby plowed multi-use pathway along South Highway 89.
Dog control
The BTNF also highlights that dog control is especially important during the winter, since deer, elk, bighorn sheep and moose view dogs as predators. This can cause animals to run and expend even more energy.
Dog control is equally important to keeping pets safe, as BTNF reports there have been many unfortunate incidents of dogs being hit by vehicles or kicked and injured by moose.
Dogs are required to be leashed year-round at developed trailheads. Locally, this applies to Cache Creek, Trail Creek and Teton Pass, where the combination of congestion and vehicles necessitates greater control.
In addition, dogs are required to be leashed in all areas adjacent to critical wildlife winter ranges from Dec. 1 to May 1. This includes the Putt-putt trail area and the Game Creek drainage from the highway to a point 1.2 miles above the gate. Off-leash dog areas are still available in many other locations, including the popular Nelson Knoll trail.
Over-snow vehicle use
On Dec. 1, most forest roads close to wheeled motor vehicle travel, with the exception of short spurs accessing winter trailheads. BTNF says this protects the road surface and allows snow to build up for grooming and over-snow vehicle use.
There are a few exceptions: the area west of the Hatchet Road is closed to wheeled or motorized travel beginning Dec. 15 each year on the Blackrock Ranger District, and Fall Creek Road on the Jackson Ranger District remains open until conditions preclude safe travel each year. The road is not plowed or maintained, so BTNF advises checking current conditions to avoid getting stuck and stranded.
Food storage order
Visitors are also reminded that the Food Storage order is enforced through Jan. 15, annually, on specific areas of the Jackson and Blackrock ranger districts. According to the BTNF, the regulation is in place to alleviate possible negative interactions between humans and bears.
All food and other attractants (anything with an odor) that might invite the curiosity of a bear to an area must be stored safely, kept unavailable from bears during the night and daytime when the area is left unattended.
Attended attractants means that a person is physically present within 100-feet and in direct sight of the food or carcass.
This article runs annually.
