JACKSON, Wyo. — Check out these spotted pairs!
Mule deer fawns are following their parents around the valley, making frequent appearances. Buckrail staffers recently have encountered deer trios near roadsides.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) notes that drought conditions across the state might be to blame for “a surge in big game animals clustering along highways and rights-of-way, driven by a search for food and water.”
“When the prairie and mountain forage browns out, the asphalt infrastructure of Wyoming roadways creates an unintended oasis,” per WGFD. “Roadsides and borrow pits are engineered to drain water away from highways, making them hold onto critical moisture much longer than the surrounding arid landscape. This creates a stark contrast: while the vegetation on the open range is dry and curing out, tempting green vegetation grows directly adjacent to high-speed traffic. In addition, the roadway edges require mowing, which stimulates the regrowth of grasses and the emergence of other plants, such as sweet clover, that are sought by wildlife.”
WGFD advises drivers to follow these tips to avoid wildlife collisions:
- Slow down and scan: Lower speeds, particularly when traveling through rural or open-range country. Actively scan the green ditches or area between the roadway and the right-of-way fence where animals are often actively feeding.
- Expect a crowd: If one pronghorn or deer crosses the road, immediately slow down, and assume there are several more to follow.
- Use caution during dusk and dawn: Big game animals are most active during the cooler hours of early morning and late evening. Drive with increased awareness during these low-visibility windows.
