JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has released 2017 hunting season details as prescribed by a seven-member commission. The seasons for big game, bison, birds and small game reflect a response to the harsh winter conditions in western Wyoming, but also include added licenses where populations are increasing, especially in eastern Wyoming.
After 39 public meetings, the commission set the season to include a statewide increase in tags for antelope (up 4,290), mule deer (up 25), white-tailed deer (up 1,005), elk (up 725), and bighorn sheep (up 8). Statewide there was a reduction in moose (down 75) and bison (down 175) licenses. The number of mountain goat licenses available stayed the same.
More specifically deer and antelope licenses issued were reduced around Jackson, Pinedale and Green River due to winter conditions. Recent surveys showed mule deer fawn mortality of at least 80 percent in the Sublette and Wyoming Range herds.
“Hunting in Wyoming remains incredible. Even though we had to take action to help some mule deer herds recover from an extraordinarily tough winter, the commission is able to create even more big game hunting opportunities because statewide deer, antelope and elk populations are healthier this year,” said WGFD commission president Keith Culver.
Winter closures extended
Meanwhile, WGFD has extended closures of four Wildlife Habitat Management Areas it manages around Pinedale. These four Game and Fish administered properties are located within a major migration corridor for the Sublette Mule Deer Herd. They include a delay in opening Soda Lake, Fall Creek, Halfmoon, and Luke Lynch Wildlife Habitat Management Areas near Pinedale until May 10. The closure prohibits any human activity.
Game and Fish officials are asking all recreationists to respect these seasonal closures and to use good judgment when encountering wildlife after a long, hard winter.
“We realize the extensions on the winter closures are an inconvenience for antler hunters and others wanting to get out and recreate,” said Pinedale region wildlife supervisor, John Lund. “There are still other places people can go and we believe the extension will benefit deer migrating through these critical areas. Deer that have survived this winter are in poor body condition and are extremely vulnerable to continued mortality throughout the spring. We ask everyone to be part of helping our mule deer and all wildlife as they start to recover from this winter.”
Around Jackson, though no winter closures have been officially extended, Game and Fish is asking people to help the surviving deer forge ahead through the spring storms by giving wildlife a break and extra space. The seasonal closure for antler hunting west of the continental divide ends on April 30, so even though it is legal to be on public lands antler hunting and doing other recreational activities, Game and Fish and other partners ask others to wait to go out on public lands near big game and especially deer. The antler season is set in state law so cannot be adjusted at this time.
“Deer that have survived this winter are in poor body condition and are extremely vulnerable throughout the spring. We ask everyone to be part of helping our mule deer and all wildlife start to recover from this winter,” said Brian Nesvik, chief of WGFD’s wildlife division. “You can help by avoiding areas where deer are present.”
Game and Fish will be hosting a Facebook Live event to talk more about the impacts of winter on deer and other wildlife on Wednesday, April 26 at 12 noon.
