JACKSON, Wyo. — The Bridger-Teton National Forest is reminding forest visitors that winter wildlife restrictions remain in effect until May 1, 2020, saying it is important that all users understand the importance of observing the critical winter range closures.
Critical winter range areas have been designated as essential to the survival of wildlife. Winter Travel maps and closure maps are available on the BTNF website under the “maps and publications” tab.
According to the Forest Service, when people access closed winter range, they cause animals in the area to become stressed or flee to new locations. This retreat requires animals, especially ungulates like deer, elk, and moose, to use the energy they cannot spare. Further, it usually places them in areas less suitable for grazing and/or browsing, preventing them from gathering the energy they need to survive. This leads to a weakened condition, which can have a direct effect on the animals’ ability to defend themselves, making them more susceptible to predation and disease, and can lead to future reproduction problems in individual animals.
Additionally, forest biologists are stressing the importance of staying off freshly exposed slopes in and out of the closure areas. These muddy, tender slopes are prone to degradation from user traffic when wet. This type of degradation can lead to erosion problems that affect water quality, fisheries, and the production of grasses and forbs used by grazing/browsing wildlife.
“Remember, be responsible when using the great outdoors,” BTNF said in a press release. “Maintaining control of dogs through a leash or voice command is essential to minimizing impacts on wintering wildlife. It may feel as though spring has arrived, but winter is still on the ground in many areas. With cold temperatures and heavy storms still a possibility, your wildlife populations need your continued respect.”
The Forest Service also says to stay on designated travel routes and learn the location of closed critical winter range before heading out into the forest. Bears are coming out of hibernation throughout the area so please be prepared with bear spray and follow food storage orders where that applies on the northern and eastern parts of the forest.
Be sure to let someone know where you are headed and remember that creeks or roads, frozen in the morning may be soft and impassable after the temperatures rise. Additionally, have a plan for all waste, there are limited to no garbage services in the forest and many restrooms are closed or inaccessible due to the current conditions.
