This past weekend my wife and I drove the old highway 87 between the Dave Johnston power plant and Glenrock (only 5 miles) and we counted 20 dead antelope, most likely winter kill as that road doesn't get much traffic.
No $$$ and poor planning when the interstate was put in.
Oh, they have plenty of money. Wyoming has a surplus.
EV chargers not wildlife crossings, thats the future!
The state having a surplus has nothing to do with implementing wildlife passages. Their DOT funding is overwhelmingly funded by the feds. They're just like us in SD.
That is a priority of the Federal government. All states receive federal funding for them. Can't blame WY for implementing them. Like any other budget, if you don't use the funds you're given, you're not going to get funding for other wishes/priorities in the future.
cowboystatedaily.com
Sad and depressing. Are the emergency feed grounds helping in spots? Also, a lot of the bad news seems to be focus on the south central and south west part of the state. Hopefully it is less bad in other parts of the state. The animals need a break.Another article regarding south-central Wyoming herds:
Dying By The Thousands: Miles Of Death As Wyoming Antelope, Deer And Elk Die From Winter Starvation
Outfitters say southcentral Wyoming antelope, deer and elk herds are dying off in huge numbers and that predictions that half of the antelope in parts of the state could die this winter probably fall short. It’s more likely to be closer to 80%.
That’s pretty aweful. Good reminder we humans don’t have as much control of things as we thinkAnother article regarding south-central Wyoming herds:
Dying By The Thousands: Miles Of Death As Wyoming Antelope, Deer And Elk Die From Winter Starvation
Outfitters say southcentral Wyoming antelope, deer and elk herds are dying off in huge numbers and that predictions that half of the antelope in parts of the state could die this winter probably fall short. It’s more likely to be closer to 80%.
Coming in late here, but I would go hunt now. Most of the deer that will die are the yearlings, or the older deer 7+ years old. There is mortality in the other groups, but much less significant. There will still be a lot of 4-6 year old bucks that survive, and with all this snow, the feed should be very good this summer.
The emergency feeding is only for elk. Attended town hall on the situation last week. Nesvik stated that the emergency feeding was solely to keep the elk out of places they don’t want them. Largely ranchers stacks. He said they were working to that end.
Yes, they are calling for 8-12" in this next storm here, with more darned cold temps.
Calling for up to 4 ft more in the Wasatch front the next few days. Assume SW WY will get hit hard again as well.
Although I sure would like to hunt antelope again in 93 this fall, I have to agree with you Buzz.
My assumption after listening to Nesvik in Pinedale is some significant cuts are on the way. Just a hunch from things he said. He mentioned they got money as well.
