Pinedale BLM Winter Land Closures Protect Big Game
by Bureau of Land Management
December 18, 2008
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office will once again close a portion of BLM administered public lands to motorized vehicle travel to protect big game on crucial winter ranges and feed grounds. These closures include snowmobile and off-highway vehicle travel on existing roads and two-track trails. The closures do not include active oil and gas field roads unless otherwise posted, state or county roads.
The BLM administered public lands included in these closures are as follows:
Elk winter feedground areas are closed from November 15 to April 30 each winter to all motorized use and human presence. They are; the Franz, Finnegan, Bench Corral, Fall Creek, Scab Creek, North Piney, and Black Butte feedgrounds.
Big Game Winter Ranges will be closed to all unauthorized motorized travel from Jan. 1 through April 30. The Ryegrass, Bench Corral, Deer Hills, Calpet & Miller Mountain winter ranges include all BLM administered lands north of Fontenelle Creek, east of the U.S. Forest Service Boundary, west of Highway 189, and south of Horse Creek, which contains approximately 444,000 acres. The Mesa winter range includes all BLM administered lands east of County Road 110 (East Green River Road), north of County Road 136 (Paradise Valley Road), west of the New Fork River, and south of State Highway 191, which contains approximately 76,000 acres. Use of winter range areas by non-motorized means is still allowed.
Signs will be posted at key locations going into the closed areas. Motorized vehicle use the remainder of the year is limited to existing roads and two-track trails. Violations of these closures are punishable by a fine, and/or imprisonment. These closures have been in effect since 1988 and have been included in the recently completed Pinedale Resource Management Plan.
For more information call or visit the BLM Pinedale Field Office at 307-367-5300, 1625 West Pine Street, Pinedale, Wyo.
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