MOOSE, Wyo. — Grand Teton National Park is asking for public comment as it conducts an environmental review to consider implementing additional management strategies for protecting bighorn sheep winter habitat.

A scoping notice released today makes several recommendations for managing the sheeps’ habitat, including “new or expanded” habitat protection areas, designated travel routes through sheep habitat, and increased education and outreach.

Courtesy NPS

“Action is needed at this time to address emerging issues related to increases in winter backcountry visitor use patterns in winter bighorn sheep habitat and the new and growing body of research that demonstrates that winter recreation can disturb and harm wintering ungulates, including bighorn sheep,” the park said in a press release today. “The primary aim is to provide secure winter habitat for bighorn sheep so they can spend the winter in disturbance free zones, while also providing backcountry winter recreation opportunities.”

The park is asking for public comment until May 20.

This comment period is different than the survey announced last week aimed at backcountry users.

Shannon is a Wyoming-raised writer and reporter. She just completed a master's in journalism from Boston University. Jackson shaped her into an outdoorswoman, but a love for language and the human condition compels her to write. She believes there's no story too small to tell nor adventure too small to take.