ACTION -Bike Trail Development In Bottleneck of Worlds Longest Documented Mule Deer Migration

[AlpineMuleys]

The Sublette herd in Western Wyoming is iconic for many reasons. The main and most famous characteristic of this herd is that it is the longest documented mule deer migration in the world. As with most mule deer herds across the west, the iconic Sublette herd is below objective. It stands at about 20,000 animals - nearly 30% below objective and considerably reduced relative to historic numbers.

We are learning that the number one driver to mule deer population is habitat and its access to that habitat is absolutely crucial. This particular migration has been documented by some individuals traveling up to 242 miles to winter range and back. Considerable time, effort and millions of dollars have been expended for this migration route's conservation. With many natural and unnatural obstacles in their path, the migration passes through tight spaces where most individuals cross; we call these bottlenecks.

One bottleneck in particular is Fremont Lake, just outside Pinedale, Wyoming. With development from town on the west and the long "Finger Lake" to the east, most every deer in this migration passes near the outlet of the lake.

The issue: There is currently a proposal out to the BLM for a bike trail system immediately adjacent to the Fremont Lake Bottleneck. The details of the plan are scant, but there are serious concerns about the proposed placement and extent of development within this critical migration corridor. Furthermore, there are concerns about the lack of transparency that the agency (Bureau of Land Management, Pinedale Field Office) has shown towards the public in this process. The proposed bike trail system includes considerable routes, parking areas, recreational development, and greatly increased capacity for human activity that threatens the functionality of this corridor.

There are numerous alternatives to this location for recreational development that can better accommodate wildlife. Mule deer are not good at accommodating development in the same way.

To be clear, I am not against recreational development, just not here. We have the science and understanding of what this herd needs and what will affect it. We need to listen to those needs and put them above our wants. A bike trail system can be moved elsewhere.

The Wyoming Mule Deer Alliance is spearheading this "movement," and as a member, I encourage everyone to do their best to investigate what something like this might mean to our future and to the future of mule deer. I have started a petition that can be signed online, and we will send it to the Field Manager for BLM in Pinedale, Mr. Stewart Cogswell. Please see the petition linked below and sign if felt moved to do so. Fremont Lake Bottleneck Bike Trail Proposal Petition

Sign the Petition

Protect the Sublette Mule Deer Migration Corridor from the Fremont Bottleneck Bike Trail

www.change.org

 

[wyo2track]

Braxton...

Man...enjoy seeing your posts and listening to the podcasts you've done, but you probably need to take a step back, get the facts of what is proposed, and look at that area as a whole and as it is used right now. There is already an existing paved bike path going thru that area, thru BLM and USFS connecting the outskirts of Pinedale to Fremont Lake. That pathway been there for over 20 yrs. The main paved county road to the lower Fremont Lake Boat ramp goes dorectly through this area also. There are also already existing dirt pathways across that area around the CCC ponds and connecting to the Luke Lynch habitat area to the west across the dam below Fremont Lake where deer migrate both upstream and downstream of the dam. The public already uses this area heavily from both sides of Pine Creek during the deer migration. There are existing two tracks roads connecting the paved county road to the paved bike path that people also use. So I have a huge concern on calling for petition signatures when there have been no facts presented in your post except for speculation.

 

[Mtndawger]

Thanks for sharing. We just went through a fight ( and lost) against Mtn bike trails in elk calving habitat here in northwest Colorado. I am a mountain biker but I do not support any trails in critical habitat. Plenty of other places for bike trails. The mountain bike community is extremely selfish.

 

[drdrop]

Relevant to the issue of critical wildlife habitat and low impact recreation: don't ever let a trail advocate say that seasonal closure is the 100% effective solution. All it takes are inconsiderate teens poaching trails. Pic taken 3/14/26 on Fruita trail system. Note the fresh tracks in the area closed Dec 1 to May 1.

 

[RojoGrande]

Frequently see fresh MTB tracks on wilderness area trails where they are prohibited. Have been forced off trail and run into by MTB's riding too fast for conditions around blind curves, etc. even though hikers and horses have the right of way. Seeing a lot of electric bikes, power assisted bikes on trail where clearly prohibited by signage at the trailhead. Of course, there's no enforcement.

 

[AlpineMuleys]

Braxton...

Man...enjoy seeing your posts and listening to the podcasts you've done, but you probably need to take a step back, get the facts of what is proposed, and look at that area as a whole and as it is used right now. There is already an existing paved bike path going thru that area, thru BLM and USFS connecting the outskirts of Pinedale to Fremont Lake. That pathway been there for over 20 yrs. The main paved county road to the lower Fremont Lake Boat ramp goes dorectly through this area also. There are also already existing dirt pathways across that area around the CCC ponds and connecting to the Luke Lynch habitat area to the west across the dam below Fremont Lake where deer migrate both upstream and downstream of the dam. The public already uses this area heavily from both sides of Pine Creek during the deer migration. There are existing two tracks roads connecting the paved county road to the paved bike path that people also use. So I have a huge concern on calling for petition signatures when there have been no facts presented in your post except for speculation.

Thanks for the feedback. I am fully aware of what is already there and how long it’s been there. That’s apart of my point, when do we say, “look, we have already done enough damage and more is definitely not going to help.” There’s not much we can do about what’s already done, shoot many of us live in houses that are in or near these areas, but we can have the foresight to stop making it worse. As far as you saying I don’t have the facts, I have the proposal and a map of the proposal including area of paths and additions parking lots (plural). And I also agree that there is already pathways, why do we need more? I would have to say I agree that a dirt path isn’t going to make a deer die or turn off its migration, it’s the additional human presence that we are concerned about. And as you’ve stated, there’s enough there as it is.

 

[AlpineMuleys]

Thanks for the feedback. I am fully aware of what is already there and how long it’s been there. That’s apart of my point, when do we say, “look, we have already done enough damage and more is definitely not going to help.” There’s not much we can do about what’s already done, shoot many of us live in houses that are in or near these areas, but we can have the foresight to stop making it worse. As far as you saying I don’t have the facts, I have the proposal and a map of the proposal including area of paths and additions parking lots (plural). And I also agree that there is already pathways, why do we need more? I would have to say I agree that a dirt path isn’t going to make a deer die or turn off its migration, it’s the additional human presence that we are concerned about. And as you’ve stated, there’s enough there as it is.

I guess I should also be more clear to your last point, that “calling a petition of signatures when there have been no facts in my post but only speculation” not exactly sure what you mean there, but the point of our letter and petition is to ask the blm for more transparency. To give us more facts, to give us more public input and more details. I think by calling on them to do this it could create a dialog where I guy like you could even come in and say whatever you want, and that you support it, but just pushing these things through quietly is not right.