Game and Fish to survey deer mortality May 7
by Wyoming Game & Fish
April 27, 2011
PINEDALE- Coming off one the harder winters we’ve seen in recent years, wildlife managers with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are expecting fairly significant winter mortality in the area’s mule deer herds. Each year Game and Fish biologists try to get a better picture of such mortality by inviting the public to help them survey deer winter ranges in southwestern Wyoming, either on foot or horseback. Winter ranges in the Pinedale area will be surveyed on Saturday, May 7.
"Assessing the impacts of winter on a wildlife population is never an exact science," says Pinedale Wildlife Biologist, Dean Clause. "But the winter mortality surveys are an important part of the puzzle, and consequently, an important part of managing the herds." The sample of winter mortality provides an indication of overall loss and what age classes got hit the hardest. Wildlife managers suspect we may have lost a significant portion of the mule deer fawns, as well as some adults, this past winter.
Those interested in participating in the survey should plan to meet the morning of Saturday, May 7, at the Pinedale Game and Fish office at 9:00 AM.
For more information you may contact Pinedale Wildlife Biologist, Dean Clause, at 307-367-4353 or 1-800- 367-4532.
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