PINEDALE, Wyo. — The Pinedale Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) is reminding the public of a seasonal recreational closure near the outlet of Fremont Lake.
According to a BTNF press release, the purpose of the seasonal closure is to minimize human disturbance to migrating mule deer in the spring and fall. In collaboration with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), the Pinedale Ranger District has implemented a “no human presence closure” from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30 and from April 1 through April 30 each year. This is in a crucial area along the Sublette Mule Deer Migration Route, which was designated by the WGFD.
Data indicates deer using this migration route travel farther than any other mule deer migration ever documented, passing through what the BTNF calls “many potentially life-threatening obstacles along the way.” The closure area represents an important portion of the migration route, known as the Fremont Lake Bottleneck; BTNF confirms this narrow segment is a top concern for mule deer managers.
The Bottleneck is bordered by residential development to the south and by Fremont Lake to the north, and BTNF writes that a major concern with this area is the high level of human activity the deer must contend with as they cross Pine Creek or swim the lake outlet, move past the marina and multi-use trails at the CCC Ponds area and cross the paved FS 111 and CR 154 roads.
According to BTNF, efforts have been made to eliminate non-wildlife friendly fencing in the area, and WGFD acquired the Luke Lynch Wildlife Habitat Management Area, located just west of the proposed closure area. Signs will be posted at key entrances to the area to remind the public of the seasonal closure.
For more information, contact Rusty Kaiser, BTNF wildlife biologist of the Pinedale Ranger District, at 307-231-5980.
WGFD recently confirmed to Buckrail that mule deer in the Jackson area were in good body condition going into this winter, which will help with over-winter survival and population growth.
