VICTOR, Idaho — The Caribou-Targhee National Forest has extended the winter wildlife closures on the Palisades and Teton Basin Ranger District until May 1, according to a release by the agency.
The winter wildlife closures usually lift April 15 but “wildlife agencies are continuing to see an elevated level of mortality in big game animals due to deep snow and continued cold,” the press release states. Caribou-Targhee worked in partnership with Idaho Fish and Game and Wyoming Game and Fish to extend the winter range closures.
“It has been a long, hard winter,” Caribou-Targhee National Forest Supervisor Mel Bolling said. “Extending existing closure dates will provide some additional relief for area wildlife that may be stressed and running low on energy reserves.”
Areas of crucial wildlife winter range closed to all human presence include Lower Rainey Creek, the Fall Creek drainage, slopes above the South Fork of the Snake River near Heise, south-facing slopes in Teton, Darby, Game and Moose Creek and the interior loop of Horseshoe and Packsaddle Creeks. Other portions of the Palisades and Teton Basin Districts are closed to all motorized use.
“This has been a brutal winter and we are asking people to give big game animals plenty of space and avoid causing them additional stress,” Matt Pieron, regional supervisor in the Upper Snake Region said. “Our wildlife will benefit from any relief we can provide them and we appreciate the Forest Service for their efforts.”
According to Caribou-Targhee National Forest, winter ranges are found predominantly on south-facing slopes at lower elevations and are extremely important to elk, moose and deer for survival. Human disturbance during winter months can cause the animals to expend energy from already low reserves. The Forest Service will continue to provide winter patrols and enforce the extended closures.
Maps showing winter closures are available at any of the Caribou-Targhee Forest Service offices or online.
