State is picking up starved wildlife.

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/0...s-wyoming-as-animals-continue-to-starve/

Sad

It is very sad this year.
Thankfully the ranch we work on is not in bad shape and is in part of an area doing ok.
We have a stretch in the Laramie valley that does not have much snow on the ground at all for most of winter.
Up near the ranch, one side on the big ridge has 2-3 ft of snow while over Morton Pass has very little now and has been windblown clear for much of winter.
That herd of pronghorns looks ok, they range from the snow covered area to the open ground.

Other parts of the state have been under feet of snow for months now and that is where it is bad. Red Desert, Casper area, Western side, PInedale, Rawlins and Baggs area.
Some areas are having an normal winter, winter kill but not severe, Black Hills and Thunder Basin, Cody too I think.

Sounds like more tag cuts coming as residents have spoken up and really want more in some areas, biologists too.
Good news is that range will be in better shape this year if moisture holds out into summer. There will be some really nice bucks and bulls taken this Fall.

So sad!!!!
I'm also concerned for our wildlife in the pan handle! my place in Dickens, is again seeing very little moisture less than 1.5 inches since January

Hope our Lord allows some moisture in that area. We had the same issue last year.

I pulled my application for the area north of Rock Springs. Pronghorn will have a bad enough year so I dont need to bother them. Put in for southeast CO instead

That's sad to read. NW CO has similar conditions and CPW biologists have already stated that there will be significant reductions in the number of tags issued in the impacted GMUs. I have also read that artificial feeding of hay or alfalfa doesn't work for starving pronghorn and mule deer because they lack the gut bacteria necessary to process the food.

most the agency’s are using breeder type protein pellets because of the probotics in them. What Utah, KS etc are using now.

For any of you with enough pronghorn PPs there are a few areas with good numbers. They are not necessarily known as trophy areas now but can produce nice bucks.
Access can be an issue in a couple.

Hoping the db that trespasses to look for antlers hasn't been up wandering around yet, might have some antlers this year on the upper pastures since they have been blown clear most of winter.


Feeding in amounts to make a difference just would be impossible. It would have to be airdropped in many spots. Elk are fed on the Western side every year, for hay issues mainly not winter snow issues. Those feed grounds are supposed to get phase out though.

What number are you considering to be "enough pronghorn PPs"?

Based on last years draw odds 3-4 for the lowest area, at least 6+ for the other areas.

I don't ever see this happening. "Those feed grounds are supposed to get phase out though".

I say this because "Man" has programmed these animals for years that they will get fed at these locations.
If it ever happens you'll have 6000 starving/dying elk at a few locations. The tree huggers/squirrel squeezer's can't stomach this.

Actually angus you are right on the feed grounds.
The Livestock Board now has the authority over any closures and takes them to the Gov.
Law was passed in 2021 taking that away from WG&F to authorize the closures.
The ranchers are the ones not in favor, their hay would get decimated and they fear brucellosis.
It would be ugly to say the least.

Sad

Casper area got almost 30 inches of snow Monday into Tuesday, other parts of the state got deep snow as well.
Gov. held a virtual meeting about tag cuts and the winter affects on wildlife, roads were close.
More tag cuts coming it looks like.
Meanwhile here in Laramie we got maybe 2 inches of snow.

Hoping that was the last good snow for the season but I doubt it. Big warm up for the weekend, into 70's they are saying.

I'm glad I burned my pronghorn points last year.

Wytex, how is the winterkill around Laramie? Was thinking of going to Pole Mountain or Bill this year for a deer hunt if I don't draw out elsewhere, but all of this winterkill has me thinking I should put Wyoming on the backburner for the next 6-7 years.

Here's a link to the tag quotas being sent to the Commission, further reductions in some area and some increases.
Might be some cow elk tags in the leftover draw for you all or good choices for modifying your apps.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/con...0Regulations/CH-5-Draft-04-07-2023-5.pdf
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/con...0Regulations/CH-6-Draft-04-07-2023-7.pdf
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/con...0Regulations/CH-7-Draft-04-07-2023-7.pdf

Wytex, Thanks for posting quotes our area will be offering plenty of licenses.
Thanks

Thank you for the information Wytex. I modified my apps for WY.