WY Winter Kill
- Thread starter BDean
- Start date
wy-tex
Veteran member
Mountains are getting good snow right now. Plains have coverage but not too bad yet. Has been bitter cold and snow, may have an issue by March. We will have good water this spring though. My thoughts from Laramie. Antelope have migrated out of the area so that may say something. Usually see quite a few wintering North of town but they have gone to winter range this year. Lots of snow just south in Co. mountains.
I'm really concerned about the deer in Western WY. We've had a ton of wet heavy snow followed by lots of below zero temps. Some areas had temps down to -30 to -40 this winter. I think the deer are gonna take a hit this year. Lots of deer have come down to the roads and are getting hit by cars as of late here in the Jackson/Alpine area. The WGFD had an emergency closure on the buffalo season last week so they could start feeding the elk early on the Nat'l Elk Refuge. I feel sorry for the deer I see trying to feed themselves with snow nearly to the top of their backs.
Hilltop
Veteran member
I agree... may be a tough couple of seasons coming up. My mom's weather station just outside of Laramie had -41 about a week ago. Coupled with the snow, that's pretty tough conditions for any animals that aren't in great condition.
I would expect very little winterkill on elk.
Up until January, the Laramie area had NO snow...zippo.
Animals did great up to that point, essentially no winter conditions at all. I think animals are much tougher and have greater ability to survive than people think. I believe over-all there wont be as much winter kill as people are saying, even on deer and pronghorn.
Lots can change in a week...temperatures have been very mild this week.
Up until January, the Laramie area had NO snow...zippo.
Animals did great up to that point, essentially no winter conditions at all. I think animals are much tougher and have greater ability to survive than people think. I believe over-all there wont be as much winter kill as people are saying, even on deer and pronghorn.
Lots can change in a week...temperatures have been very mild this week.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
Western Wyoming elk and deer and in a hell of a lot of danger of a major winter kill!! Majority of big bulls already are looking terrible and ragged that I've seen, including already some dying. I almost don't want to think of the deer, it's looking terrible around these parts. I went to a G&F meeting in Jackson last night directed entirely about mule deer. Things are not looking good the way this winter has already pummeled us and it's nowhere close to over! Keep your fingers crossed..could be a brutal year that could really setback population goals
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shootbrownelk
Veteran member
Late snows in early spring can decimate critters in a big hurry. It's happened before. Areas around Jackson just got another 2-3 ft. of snow just the other day. More on the way. I'm afraid it's going to be bad news in Western Wyoming this winter.
I just read on Instagram from a thread Guy posted that the game and fish are already seeing some deer that have died from the cold.
fackelberry
Active Member
How do the moose do in the deeper snow compared to deer and elk? I was planning on hunting an area west of Pinedale this fall for moose but if the winter wipes out the moose i dont want to burn my points yet. We will have to put in for moose before we know the outcome of this winter and all the winter kills. Hopefully it starts to get back to a normal winter and doesnt hurt the herds too much.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
The amount of deer they have counted dead in December already is above almost every other year in recent history...I saw 5 dead bulls..all trophy 350+ lying dead today out on the refuge..and I didn't look hard to find them...this will be a bad year and I hate to say that...more important than ever to not push animals this winter!! Don't go looking for horns if animals are in the damn Area no matter what state you are in!! It's illegal here anyway until May 1st..but unfortunately not everyone plays by the rules.
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shootbrownelk
Veteran member
A friend that lives in Moran Junction said the same thing Mtnguide. Dead bulls on the refuge, and not just a couple and he said he sees more everyday on his way to work. Looks like another bad winter is shaping up.
mnhoundman
Veteran member
Dam sad news! Wish it was as easy as plowing a huge area and putting out feed until spring. Hope for nice weather early this spring!!
Anyone see the wolves harassing them yet??
I suppose they will really be causing trouble now!!
Anyone see the wolves harassing them yet??
I suppose they will really be causing trouble now!!
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tim
Veteran member
mntnguide
Very Active Member
RICMIC
Veteran member
I am curious as to why bulls would be dead on the refuge. I realize that they nay have come off the rut in tough shape, but if they made it to the refuge they have sufficient feed for them now.?????
tim
Veteran member
The elk started to come back out of the refuge and on to local ranches because of a lack of feed. The WG&F instituted an emergency closure of the buffalo season so the refuge could start feeding the elk.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
The refuge management wants ONLY 5,000 elk to be there goal...they are gonna starve the poor bastards to death to get to that goal! The refuge management is completely F*d in my opinion..I am scared for what they will look like if this snow keeps up. Most of the big bulls do not look healthy along with many cows. And like I've mentioned, the deer is just a plain sad and scary deal already
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