The Perfect Christmas Gift!

[highplainsdrifter]

Recently I got my hands on a copy of "Wild Migrations: Atlas of Wyoming's Ungulates" published by the University of Wyoming and Oregon State University. I was blown away by the comprehensive narrative, the detailed migration charts, the color photos and the potential to influence the future of wildlife management in Wyoming.

This hot off the press book is a must read for everyone with an interest in Wyoming's wildlife. It would make an outstanding Christmas gift! And it's only $30.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0870719432/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR345rk_mGmXe3tgq2LasphgNB2nrXUMIrhvbiCFi0wZ6AGFHuGXIHVb0ws

 

[Hilltop]

I honestly wish the migration information wasn't public. Knowledge that has taken many of us decades to gain is now there for hunters with $30. I'm sure there is a ton of other great information in the book though.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I honestly wish the migration information wasn't public. Knowledge that has taken many of us decades to gain is now there for hunters with $30. I'm sure there is a ton of other great information in the book though.

It would be pretty hard to keep it from being public when there is a big push for elected and appointed officials to use the information for decision making...and those officials are for the most part "public". For example The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has been under intense pressure to use the information to recommend limited oil and gas development in the migration corridors. Some oil and gas companies (and their employees) are resisting any substantial restrictions on drilling.

The book (and the research behind it) has enormous potential to change the future of wildlife management in Wyoming. Anyone concerned about Wyoming's wildlife should read the book to get a feel for the issues involved.

 

[mallardsx2]

I am sure the book is great.

But, I love how people want to throw most of the oil and gas companies (and their employees) (Which are HIGHLY REGULATED) under the bus right out of the gate.

Yet few people want to talk about what 50,000 miles of barbed wire and BLM/National forest Sheep and Cattle grazing leases have caused over the years. Its one of the biggest reasons (Besides weather obviously) so many animals are migrating in the first place. The deer know if they stay, they could die because it has all been grazed off by domestic animals and what has not been grazed off has either been fenced in for domestic animals or developed by the new age of mankind..

But nobody really wants to talk about that.

Bottom line is that personally, I would much rather see regulated oil and gas activity than 2000 sheep grazing a mountaintop off or 1500 head of cattle grazing on the BLM where we are trying to hunt elk and deer.

"Barbed wire" has killed 1000X the animals that Regulated Oil and Gas activities could kill in the next 500 years.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I am sure the book is great.

But, I love how people want to throw most of the oil and gas companies (and their employees) (Which are HIGHLY REGULATED) under the bus right out of the gate.

Yet few people want to talk about what 50,000 miles of barbed wire and BLM/National forest Sheep and Cattle grazing leases have caused over the years. Its one of the biggest reasons (Besides weather obviously) so many animals are migrating in the first place. The deer know if they stay, they could die because it has all been grazed off by domestic animals and what has not been grazed off has either been fenced in for domestic animals or developed by the new age of mankind..

But nobody really wants to talk about that.

Bottom line is that personally, I would much rather see regulated oil and gas activity than 2000 sheep grazing a mountaintop off or 1500 head of cattle grazing on the BLM where we are trying to hunt elk and deer.

"Barbed wire" has killed 1000X the animals that Regulated Oil and Gas activities could kill in the next 500 years.

Good points! The book also talks about the impact of fences, roads, housing developments and other potential impediments to migration.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Thin out the humans save the animals.
or just cull out a few?

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Thin out the humans save the animals.
or just cull out a few?

I'd like to be in on the decision on which ones to cull

 

[WY ME]

I am sure the book is great.

But, I love how people want to throw most of the oil and gas companies (and their employees) (Which are HIGHLY REGULATED) under the bus right out of the gate.

Yet few people want to talk about what 50,000 miles of barbed wire and BLM/National forest Sheep and Cattle grazing leases have caused over the years. Its one of the biggest reasons (Besides weather obviously) so many animals are migrating in the first place. The deer know if they stay, they could die because it has all been grazed off by domestic animals and what has not been grazed off has either been fenced in for domestic animals or developed by the new age of mankind..

But nobody really wants to talk about that.

Bottom line is that personally, I would much rather see regulated oil and gas activity than 2000 sheep grazing a mountaintop off or 1500 head of cattle grazing on the BLM where we are trying to hunt elk and deer.

"Barbed wire" has killed 1000X the animals that Regulated Oil and Gas activities could kill in the next 500 years.

When the gas boom hit, the oil and gas industry requested the Game & Fish shut down all hunting in the areas where they were gonna be drilling. But as you say "Nobody really wants to talk about it."

 

[kidoggy]

I'd like to be in on the decision on which ones to cull

that is the dream!!!

GOD help us all if it becomes the reality in this nation as it is in other nations such as N korea, iran, Iraq...………………………!!!!

 

[highplainsdrifter]

When the gas boom hit, the oil and gas industry requested the Game & Fish shut down all hunting in the areas where they were gonna be drilling. But as you say "Nobody really wants to talk about it."

And now the oil and gas industry and their employees are resisting possible restrictions to drilling in migration corridors. I'm hearing rumors that they are contacting Game and Fish Commissioners and telling them if restrictions are recommended they'll go over their heads to the legislature.

The book discusses the concept of "fidelity". Apparently, mule deer have a high fidelity to their migration corridors...meaning they deviate very little year to year from the path used. Due to this high fidelity the corridor is well defined and quite narrow. It seems prudent to try to protect such areas...but it would appear the oil and gas industry is resisting.

Oil and gas development is just one of many issues that come to light in this great book. Hope everyone takes the time to read it!