Editor’s note: The original version of this article stated that Black Butte, Fall Creek, Half Moon, Luke Lynch and Soda Lake in Pinedale and Greys River in Alpine opened May 1, but the opening of those areas is postponed until 6 a.m. on May 15 to protect big game animals.
JACKSON, Wyo. — As of May 1, areas of crucial wildlife winter range on the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) and Wyoming Game and Fish lands have reopened to human activity.
These areas include Josie’s Ridge, the KC trail, Wilson Canyon, the slopes above the Putt-Putt trail, the slopes north of the Game Creek trail and portions of the Gros Ventre drainage.
The annual closures of Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Habitat Management Areas in the Jackson and Pinedale regions are listed below:
| Greys River | Alpine | Closed Dec. 1 until May 15 at 6 a.m. |
| Camp Creek | Jackson | Closed Dec. 1 through April 30 |
| Horse Creek | Jackson | Closed Dec. 1 through April 30 |
| South Park | Jackson | Closed Dec. 1 through April 30 *Signed area open to foot traffic Dec. 1 through Dec. 31 |
| Half Moon | Pinedale | Closed Dec. 1 until May 15 at 6 a.m. |
| Soda Lake | Pinedale | Closed Dec. 1 until May 15 at 6 a.m. |
| Fall Creek | Pinedale | Closed Dec. 1 until May 15 at 6 a.m. |
| Luke Lynch | Pinedale | Closed Dec. 1 until May 15 at 6 a.m. |
| Black Butte | Pinedale | Closed Dec. 1 until May 15 at 6 a.m. |
Designated winter wildlife closure areas are essential to the survival of wildlife. When people or their pets enter closed winter range, wildlife is forced to move to new locations. This retreat requires animals, such as deer, elk and moose, to use energy they cannot spare. This leads to a weakened condition, which can have a direct effect on the animals’ ability to fend off disease or predators and can lead to reproduction problems.
In Grand Teton National Park, officials have extended two existing wildlife closures through May 15 to protect bighorn sheep because of persistent winter conditions and deep snowpack at high elevations throughout the Teton Range.
The existing park closures are near the summits of Static Peak, Mount Hunt and Prospectors Mountain. Recreational use in these areas is prohibited during this time.
