Wyoming

Wyoming Elk, Antelope Adapt Better To Housing, Energy Developments Than Mule Deer

Published

1 month ago

March 18, 2024

Wyoming Elk, Antelope Adapt Better To Housing, Energy Developments Than Mule Deer

Being set in their ways could be a disadvantage to Wyoming’s mule deer as housing and energy development continues in parts of the state, a wildlife biologist said.

“Elk are very plastic (flexible) in their movements. Pronghorn are a little less plastic, but they’re able to roll with the punches. With mule deer, they almost put their hooves in the exact same place their mothers did,” Kristen Barker told Cowboy State Daily.

She’s the Cody-based research coordinator for the Beyond Yellowstone Program, a collaborative effort between the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the University of Wyoming and the University of California, Berkeley.

The group recently completed a study of how land development affects big game in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Research was conducted around Cody, Pinedale and along big game migration corridors in the Red Desert.

It revealed that for the most part, critters avoid development, she said.

“Even if there’s good stuff right around the development, if the animals are going to avoid it, it doesn’t really count as habitat anymore,” Barker said.

Avoidance Tactics

Development for housing or energy can have a big effect on how elk, deer and antelope behave, according Beyond Yellowstone Program’s research brief.

“Our work reveals land development is one of the strongest single influences on migratory big game, affecting everything from where herds live within the broader landscape to where individual animals walk each day,” the brief states.

And it doesn’t take much. A little as 3% of the land in a given area being developed can be enough to disrupt animals’ movement patterns, according to the brief.

But there doesn’t seem to be a one-size-fits-all pattern for Wyoming’s premier big game species — elk, mule deer and antelope, Barker said.

Elk seem to be best at just avoiding human activity and are willing to go out of their way to do it, she said.

“Those Cody elk herds, they can still make big, broad movements” to avoid human activity, she said.

Antelope, not so much. But they still might alter their routes to get around things.

Stubborn Mule Deer Take Long Journeys

But mule deer are “set in their ways and very loyal” to their ingrained migration routes, Barker said.

That’s why people might see mulies showing up in their back yards, she said. It might not be that the deer are completely comfortable being around people, but because homes were built along migration routes, and the deer were just too darn stubborn to change their ways.

And those who see mule deer in their yards should appreciate they might have come from a long way off and still have a long journey ahead of them.

Some deer herds in Wyoming frequently travel great distances as they move between summer range, typically high in the mountains, and winter range in lowlands such as the Red Desert, Barker said.

One Wyoming long-distance record-holder is a mule deer doe, Deer 255, which logged 242 miles one way during her seasonal migration, according to radio collar data.

The Curious Case Of The Estes Park Elk

Of course, many rules in nature have exceptions. As Barker noted, her group’s research indicates that as a general rule, elk like to avoid development.

But here are the huge elk herds that spend part of the year camping out right in the middle of Estes Park, Colorado. Those elk trace their ancestry back to Wyoming. During migrations in and out of Rocky Mountain National Park, they take over the town, grazing in city parks and loitering in downtown business parking lots.

“The situation in Estes Park shows how flexible elk are. One reason they’ll hang out in an area where there’s a bunch of people is, there’s also a bunch of food there,” Barker said. “If there’s not a big cost associated with them being around people, if they’re not being hunted or they’re not being chased around by dogs, they will stick around if the food rewards are there.”

With mule deer, however, their hard-set migration routes might hurt their food supply, she said.

They’ll likely still go through developed spots on their migration routes, but they’ll hurry through. So, they might miss the prime growth periods for certain types of forage along the way, Barker said.

What’s Next

It’s evident that big game animals prefer a “buffer zone” between themselves and human development, Barker said. But just how much distance is required for which species remains unclear, so that could be the subject of further research.

How research might affect policy isn’t up to the Beyond Yellowstone Program, Barker said.

“We’re more of a research group than an advocacy group. We have a mission of getting the information out there in a way that is more digestible than typical scientific research papers,” she said.

And there needn’t be a zero-sum “either-or” between development and wildlife movement, she added.

“It’s possible to have both. It’s possible to have good, solid development and to preserve wildlife migration routes, if we do it the right way,” she said.

Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.

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Wyoming

Don Day Wyoming Weather Forecast: Monday, April 29, 2024

Published

2 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Don Day Wyoming Weather Forecast: Monday, April 29, 2024

Chance of rain for much of western and central Wyoming on Monday, sunny in parts of eastern Wyoming. Highs from the upper 40s to near 70. Lows from the 20s to the 40s.

Central:

Casper: There’s a slight chance of rain after 5 p.m. today and a chance of rain overnight. Otherwise, expect it to be sunny and breezy today with a high near 63 and wind gusts as high as 34 mph. Overnight it should be mostly cloudy and breezy with a low near 40 and wind gusts as high as 34 mph.

Riverton: Look for it to be mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 66 and wind gusts as high as 37 mph. It should be partly cloudy and windy overnight with a low near 34 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Jeffrey City: There’s a slight chance of rain after 5 p.m. today and a chance of rain then snow overnight. Otherwise, look for it to be mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 58 and wind gusts as high as 41 mph. It should be windy and gradually become mostly clear overnight with a low near 31 and wind gusts as high as 44 mph.

Southwest:

Evanston: There’s a slight chance of rain after 3 p.m. today and a chance of rain tonight, mixing with snow after 9 p.m. then gradually ending. Otherwise, look for it to be mostly sunny and breezy with a high near 55 and wind gusts as high as 39 mph. It should be breezy and gradually become mostly clear overnight with a low near 25 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Rock Springs: There’s a chance of rain after 4 p.m. today and rain and snow are likely overnight. Otherwise, expect it to be breezy with increasing clouds today, a high near 59 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Overnight it should be mostly cloudy and breezy with a low near 29 and wind gusts as high as 34 mph.

Lyman: There’s a slight chance of rain after 3 p.m. today and a chance of rain before midnight tonight. Otherwise, it should be mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 61 and wind gusts as high as 38 mph. It should be mostly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 28 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph.

Western Wyoming:

Pinedale: There’s a chance of rain today and a chance of rain and snow before 11 p.m. tonight followed by a slight chance of snow until midnight. Otherwise, it should be partly sunny and breezy today with a high near 51 and wind gusts as high as 37 mph. Overnight it should be partly cloudy and windy with a low near 23 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Alpine: Rain is likely today and rain and snow are likely before 11 p.m. tonight, followed by a chance of snow until 1 a.m. Otherwise, look for it to be partly sunny and breezy today with a high near 50 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. It should be mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 27 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

Big Piney: There’s a slight chance of rain after 1 p.m. today and a chance of rain, possibly mixing with snow after 9 p.m. then gradually ending. Otherwise, expect it to be mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 55 and wind gusts as high as 44 mph. Overnight it should be mostly clear and windy with a low near 22 and wind gusts as high as 44 mph.

Northwest:

Dubois: There’s a chance of rain today and rain and snow are likely overnight. Otherwise, expect it to be mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 51 and wind gusts as high as 33 mph. Overnight it should be partly cloudy and windy with a low near 25 and wind gusts as high as 38 mph.

Jackson: Rain is likely today and rain and snow are likely overnight. Otherwise, it should be partly sunny and breezy today with a high near 48 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph. Overnight it should be partly cloudy with a low near 23 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park: Rain and snow are likely today and possible overnight, becoming all snow after 7 p.m. Otherwise, look for it to be breezy today with a high near 43 and wind gusts as high as 34 mph. It should be mostly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 17 and wind gusts as high as 34 mph.

Bighorn Basin:

Thermopolis: There’s a slight chance of rain after 5 p.m. today and a chance of rain, then rain and snow overnight. Otherwise, it should be mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 65 and wind gusts as high as 33 mph. It should be partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 36 and wind gusts as high as 33 mph.

Cody: There’s a chance of rain mainly after 5 p.m. today and a chance of rain before midnight tonight followed by a chance of rain and snow overnight. Otherwise, expect it to be mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 60 and wind gusts as high as 37 mph. It should be partly cloudy and windy overnight with a low near 33 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Lovell: There’s a slight chance of rain after 5 p.m. today and a chance of rain tonight, possibly mixing with snow after 3 a.m. then gradually ending. Otherwise, look for it to be mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 65 and wind gusts as high as 28 mph. Overnight it should be mostly cloudy and windy with a low near 36 and wind gusts as high as 41 mph.

North Central:

Buffalo: There’s a slight chance of rain after 5 p.m. today and a slight chance of rain overnight before 4 a.m. then rain and snow are possible. Otherwise, it should be mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 61 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph. Overnight it should be partly cloudy and breezy with a low near 36 and wind gusts as high as 28 mph.

Sheridan: Look for it to be mostly sunny today with a high near 67 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain mainly before midnight, a low near 34 and wind from 17-22 mph after midnight.

Story: There’s a slight chance of rain after noon today and a chance of rain before 3 a.m. overnight followed by a chance of rain and snow. Otherwise, expect it to be mostly sunny today with a high near 62 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 31 and wind from 17-22 mph after midnight.

Northeast:

Gillette: It should be mostly sunny today with a high near 67 and winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Overnight it should be mostly cloudy and breezy with a chance of rain before midnight, a low near 36 and wind gusts as high as 29 mph.

Sundance: There’s a slight chance of rain after noon today and overnight. Otherwise, expect it to be mostly sunny today with a high near 62 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 35 and wind gusts as high as 22 mph.

Moorcroft: Look for it to be mostly sunny today with a high near 68 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain, a low near 37 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

Eastern Plains:

Torrington: Expect it to be sunny today with a high near 71 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 43.

Wheatland: It should be sunny and breezy today with a high near 68 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Overnight it should be mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain after midnight and a low near 45.

Kaycee: Look for it to be sunny and breezy today with a high near 65 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. It should be partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain, a low near 36 and wind gusts as high as 31 mph.

Southeast:

Cheyenne: Look for it to be sunny and breezy today with a high near 64 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. It should be partly cloudy overnight with a low near 39.

Laramie: Expect it to be sunny and breezy today with a high near 58 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. It should be partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain after 1 a.m., a low near 34 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

Chugwater: It should be sunny and breezy today with a high near 66 and wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Overnight it should be partly cloudy and breezy with a low near 42 and wind from 10-20 mph.

South Central:

Rawlins: Watch for increasing clouds and breezy conditions today with a high near 60 and wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Overnight it should be mostly cloudy and breezy with a chance of rain before 2 a.m. then rain and snow. The low should be near 32 and winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Encampment: Look for it to be sunny and breezy today with a high near 57 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Overnight it should be breezy, clouds should increase and there’s a chance of rain before 3 a.m. followed by a chance of rain and snow. The low should be near 32 and winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Hanna: Watch for increasing clouds and breezy conditions today with a high near 59 and wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Overnight it should be breezy with a chance of rain before 3 a.m. followed by a chance for rain and snow. The low should be near 32 and winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

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Wyoming

Why Nighttime ‘Spotlighting’ Of Wyoming’s Prized Wildlife Is Mostly Illegal

Published

9 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Why Nighttime ‘Spotlighting’ Of Wyoming’s Prized Wildlife Is Mostly Illegal

Wyoming’s wildlife is always in the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean it can be spotlighted. That’s illegal.

Spotlighting is the practice of using bright lights to hunt or observe wildlife at night. The concept is inherently simple: All that’s needed is a bright light and a dark night.

Wildlife spotlighting is an increasingly common practice across Africa, where vehicles carrying tourists might have a mounted spotlight for nighttime wildlife tours or to increase visibility for photography.

But simple concepts have a penchant for being abused. Poachers often use spotlighting to stun animals, making them easier to hunt.

Year after year, wildlife tourism has contributed to record-breaking attendance in Yellowstone National Park and elsewhere around Wyoming. With larger herds of people flocking to see those wild herds, there could be a growing interest and demand for wildlife spotlighting.

The good news for Yellowstone purists is that the question of spotlighting has already been asked and answered — nope, can’t do it — and it’s unlikely to change, as long as Wyomingites ensure it doesn’t.

Lights Off

Spotlighting is illegal on public land in Wyoming. The state banned spotlighting in conjunction with hunting, and the federal government prohibits spotlighting for wildlife observation in Yellowstone and throughout the National Park System.

Laws and regulations can change with enough public support or opposition, but there isn’t much demand to allow spotlighting in Yellowstone or Grand Teton national parks.

“We’ve never been asked for that,” said Alvin Heggie with Cody Shuttles, which conducts tours of Yellowstone. “Nobody’s asked us for ways to attract wildlife. They are more focused on what kind of equipment we have for them to use to see wildlife.”

Heggie said people might book a wildlife tour through Cody Shuttles and other wildlife tour companies for various reasons. Most want to get the best experience within the legal and ethical boundaries established throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

“They want to see wildlife in wild country,” he said. “Tourists are looking for the people they feel are going to treat them the best and put them in the best position to see wildlife.”

A black-footed ferret is observed at night with the use of a spotlight. (Wyoming Game and Fish Department)

Making The Market

The only night tours offered in the Greater Yellowstone region are for stargazing in the pristine dark skies over Yellowstone and Grand Teton. If there’s ever a future demand for nighttime tours with wildlife spotlighting, Heggie doesn’t see it starting with tourists.

“It would be more of a pull than a push,” he said. “It’s hard to forecast because it’s not permissible or ethical here now. But I would imagine for that kind of an experience, outfitters and guides would offer that service and create their own interest. It doesn’t feel like that would be very pervasive.”

Even if spotlighting were permitted in Yellowstone, which is extremely unlikely, Heggie wouldn’t promote the practice. He believes many wildlife tour companies would also shun it.

“I’m not a fan of them,” he said. “It diminishes the wildlife experience because you’re not watching wildlife. You’re watching a stunned, kind of manipulated animal, causing them undue stress. It’s an unnecessarily dangerous situation, and I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

Hunting with spotlights in Wyoming is illegal, as is doing so for nighttime wildlife watching in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. (Cowboy State Daily Staff)

The Ethical Status Quo

There’s not much chance that wildlife spotlighting will ever be permitted in Yellowstone National Park. But in the 21st century, the struggle over what is and isn’t allowed in the park is constantly challenged, mainly by the accelerating sophistication and accessibility of new technologies.

For instance, it didn’t take long for commercial drones to be banned throughout the National Park Service after a visitor crashed one into Grand Prismatic Spring in 2014. Often, new gadgets and technologies aren’t banned until they’ve already caused significant incidents.

Regarding wildlife tourism in Yellowstone, Heggie doesn’t necessarily believe in following “the status quo.” His primary considerations are the most ethical practices for the safety of tourists and wildlife.

“Maintaining the status quo is not a goal of mine,” he said. “I think the question is more about ethical practices. If it’s an ethical practice and you can leverage it, I think you should. If not, it should be banned because it’s not good for what we do and the wildlife.”

In Heggie’s perspective, wildlife tourism companies and guides have just as much responsibility as tourists. The best way to prevent literal spotlighting is to focus the metaphorical spotlight on the people and companies providing wildlife experiences within ethical boundaries.

“There’s a stark difference between a guide service that has multiple experienced guides with decades of experience that know the ins and outs of the park and someone who’s using sound or light to attract wildlife,” he said. “I believe the ability to purvey in our market is predicated on our accumulated experience, the experience we create, and how well we communicate that to the consuming public.”

Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.

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Wyoming

Wyoming Area defeats Lake-Lehman in baseball | The Sunday Dispatch

Published

16 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Wyoming Area defeats Lake-Lehman in baseball | The Sunday Dispatch

<p>After making the tag at first base, Chase Speicher (2) looks to double up the Lake-Lehman at second base with pitcher Christian Krogulski ducking the throw.</p>
<p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

<p>Wyoming Area senior pitcher Colton Krogulski came in the game to relieve starting pitcher Kristian Pugliese. Krogulski pitched four innings giving up one hit and one run.</p>
<p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

<p>Wyoming Area’s Chase Speicher gets hit by a pitch in the early innings against Lake-Lehman.</p>
<p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

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Wyoming Area senior pitcher Colton Krogulski came in the game to relieve starting pitcher Kristian Pugliese. Krogulski pitched four innings giving up one hit and one run.

After making the tag at first base, Chase Speicher (2) looks to double up the Lake-Lehman at second base with pitcher Christian Krogulski ducking the throw.

Wyoming Area catcher Jeremy Layland is about to put the tag on Lake-Lehman’s Andrew Mathis before he slides at home.

Wyoming Area’s Chase Speicher gets hit by a pitch in the early innings against Lake-Lehman.

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