Winter closures have lifted on Bridger-Teton lands but please respect this critical period and give the wildlife space
While the Bridger-Teton National Forest opened on May 1 in Teton County, an extreme winter and lingering snowmelt have made conditions challenging for wildlife, with less escape cover accessible and green forage production behind by weeks. Some wildlife still remains on low elevation winter range, slowly beginning movements onto summer habitat.
This year has been the hardest on record for our local ungulates. Their energetic “gas tanks” are running low. Most females (deer, elk, sheep, moose) are pregnant and have been all winter with calves and fawns on their way in the next few weeks.
Just as our Don’t Poach The Powder campaign asks you to respect critical winter habitat closures for wildlife, now we need to respect this critical time period when animals are at their most vulnerable. As you venture out this spring, find a balance between recreation and wildlife by giving animals the space they need to recover from this winter and gear up for spring.
Please be vigilant with dogs, as wildlife may be extra weakened this time of year and less able to flee.
