Governor Convenes Pinedale Town Hall to Discuss Wildlife Losses
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – This winter has been one of the hardest winters
Wyoming has experienced in recent history. According to temperatures recorded
at the Pinedale airport, the 30-year average for days of temperatures below
zero is approximately 39 days. This year, there were 62 days below-zero
temperatures. Compounding the winter conditions has been an unusually
large amount of snow, with many areas currently at 125-150% of the
average snowpack. These factors have severely impacted Wyoming wildlife, and
concerns from the public have grown as antelope, and deer carcasses have become
substantially visible.
In response to the growing concerns Governor Gordon heard from constituents and
legislators, the Governor called for a town hall meeting to provide an
opportunity to hear directly from citizens in areas most impacted and to
discuss solutions that work for Wyoming wildlife. The town hall was held at the
Pinedale library and was open to the public through Zoom.
Joining Governor Gordon and Wyoming Game and Fish Department
(WGFD) Director Brian Nesvik was Dr. Kevin Montieth, a professor at the
University of Wyoming’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. Dr.
Monteith shared with the audience that in addition to tougher than usual winter
conditions, antelope have been hit hard by a rare bacterial pneumonia, which
appears to be spreading.
Dr. Monteith further explained that some solutions that have
been called for, such as feeding antelope and mule deer, are not good solutions
because, unlike elk, the digestive systems of these animals cannot quickly
adjust to hay. Monteith explained to an audience of more than 200 that the best
solution to help Wyoming wildlife is protecting and enhancing the animals’
habitat and protecting migration routes so animals can more easily seek forage.
Access to their natural foods over the summer and fall allows the animals to
enter winter with higher body fat content, helping them survive winter when
shrubs and sagebrush brush are scarce.
Governor Gordon and Director Nesvik heard many suggestions,
including limiting hunting quotas and seasons this year. Director Nesvik
explained that this is an ongoing evaluation, and the WGFD continually monitor
all the factors, taking them into account in future decisions. “We are
experiencing one of the toughest winters for big game in Wyoming’s recent
history,” noted Director Nesvik. We have difficult decisions to make, and I
appreciate everyone who came to our town hall. Rest assured; those tough
decisions will be made in consideration of biology and the advice we hear from
concerned citizens.”
Concluding the town hall, Governor Gordon stated, “I thank all
who came to the town hall in person or virtually. Wyoming people care deeply
about our wildlife. That was clearly shown today. I greatly appreciate all the
suggestions, questions and comments they shared today. Wyoming folks are not
shy. I am committed to working with our citizens to provide healthy wildlife
populations for generations to come.”
A Zoom recording of the town hall can be viewed here.
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