Wyoming Winter and Antelope

[Ghostrider6]

A question for those who are familiar with the weather being experienced in Wyoming.....

What will the affects of this year's weather have on the antelope population?

Read in several places that there was a winter kill last year. Is this a concern for this year as well?

Thanks
GR6

 

[HiMtnHnter]

A question for those who are familiar with the weather being experienced in Wyoming.....

What will the affects of this year's weather have on the antelope population?

Read in several places that there was a winter kill last year. Is this a concern for this year as well?

Thanks
GR6

Too early to tell. The winter has been about average, but there's a few months left and there's no telling what will happen. We can get a lot of snow in March/April. The G&F predicted that some deer/antelope would succumb to the winter last year, even though there was hardly a winter, because of the drought. They also may have underestimated the winterkill of 2010/11.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Yep, late Winter/early Spring is when the deer and antelope will start feeling the effects, if any, and how they entered the winter months physically has an awful lot to do with their survival.

 

[Ghostrider6]

Thanks for the input.

I know here in Missouri our weather changes by the minute. I'm sure it does there as well.

How do they (antelope) react to severe weather? Is snow the concern and how it restricts food access or drought the major concern?

 

[Guy]

GR6,

It really is too hard to tell at this point. It is the spring storms, in March and April that hammer our deer and antelope herds. So far, the winter has been pretty good, with good moisture, although it is -23 today with the wind. The Red Desert has seen significant die off and has been, very, very slow to come back. Those are areas in the 50s and 60s. The further North you get the better the antelope have done. The areas in the 90s have seen a very strong bounce back and the areas around Casper (Areas in the 70s) have been coming back nicely. Check out the MRS in the F/M issue for the real details on WY antelope. Good luck. -G

 

[Musket Man]

I would say both. The drought really effects the condition of the winter ranges and also the condition of the animals going into winter, get a tough winter on top of that and it can be pretty bad. When I was there in 12 there wasnt much for feed at all. The deer and antelope I saw were in pretty good shape but all the cows I saw were in pretty rough shape. I didnt hunt down there last year. The area I hunted north of there last year was still in drought. The buck I killed was in pretty good shape but the doe was on the thin side and I dont think she was too old.

 

[Ghostrider6]

Thank you for the information.

Hope the spring is mild then.

 

[Triple BB]

GR6,
The areas in the 90s have seen a very strong bounce back and the areas around Casper (Areas in the 70s) have been coming back nicely.

Apparently you have some different sources then the G&F as that's not what the biologists have been saying at the last two spring meetings regarding the Casper areas. As for the winter around here, we've been getting hit with more frequent snow storms then what I ever remember in past years. West of Casper, has had hard crunchy snow on the ground almost all winter. If we have a tough spring, I'm betting the G&F will be cutting tags back even more than what they've done the past two years...

 

[Yooper Bob]

Thanks Tripple BB,its always good to hear from someone that has a good read on whats happening.

 

[WY ME]

I don't know about the rest of the state but here in western WY winter didn't start until 2 weeks ago. Until then the snow was ankle deep in the valleys and lots of open hillsides. We've had a couple big snows since then but nothing really exceptional. It's about 2' - 2 1/2' deep now. There's a lot of winter left and it could go either way. I know better than to predict the weather around here but so far the animals in this part of the state should have done well.
Last year we had the mildest winter I can remember. Normal snow depth at my last house was 48"-50" over the 15 years I lived there (I moved this summer). Last year we had maybe 24" (didn't bother to measure). In fact the past 2 winters were both mild, snow depth this year is about normal.

 

[HiMtnHnter]

I don't know about the rest of the state but here in western WY winter didn't start until 2 weeks ago. Until then the snow was ankle deep in the valleys and lots of open hillsides. We've had a couple big snows since then but nothing really exceptional. It's about 2' - 2 1/2' deep now. There's a lot of winter left and it could go either way. I know better than to predict the weather around here but so far the animals in this part of the state should have done well.
Last year we had the mildest winter I can remember. Normal snow depth at my last house was 48"-50" over the 15 years I lived there (I moved this summer). Last year we had maybe 24" (didn't bother to measure). In fact the past 2 winters were both mild, snow depth this year is about normal.

An article in the paper yesterday quoted a National Weather Service official predicted a permanent warm-up (relatively speaking) for these parts. We all know what a crap-shoot that is, but I hope the man is right!

 

[Ghostrider6]

Here's to good weather!

 

[AT Hiker]

I hope you guys have a decent rest of the year, here in the South we are selling out of milk and bread every weekend! Actually its the coldest its been since 1985 here, and the deeper South areas have gotten more snow and ice than they have had in a very long time.

 

[Ghostrider6]

I hope you guys have a decent rest of the year, here in the South we are selling out of milk and bread every weekend! Actually its the coldest its been since 1985 here, and the deeper South areas have gotten more snow and ice than they have had in a very long time.

My family resides near Chattanooga and they told me they were hammered with ice and snow. Growing up in Tennessee I know all too well how snow and ice can impact the state. Stay safe and hope the spring comes soon for you.