Wyoming recovery

[BKIdaho]

Curious on thoughts of how much the population has recovered in various regions in WY?

We luckily used our points in 9/22.

 

[2Stamp]

In the units around me (North Central) the numbers are still low. I wouldn't be surprised to see tag numbers cut again next year.

 

[wyosteve]

Still low in the SE as well, although I've noticed some improvement this year.

 

[ThorM465]

I was in the eastern side of the Bridger area from Nov 15th-26th. I didn't see a single antelope while driving through the BLM land. I had seen 2 dozen plus in the same area the previous October 15th-25th. I'm not sure which one was normal, so take my tiny sample size for what its worth.

 

[wapitibob]

Pronghorn aren't going to "recover".



Latest data I've read, pop still at 330,000.

2011 LICENSES SOLD 73,859

2024 LICENSES SOLD 30,565

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

They could always recover, but it would take several years of favorable weather to do so. This winter is looking good for them, now we just need 3-4 more. I really wish they would just get rid of doe tags

 

[EdP]

Hopefully more antelope friendly fencing on migration routes will help reduce the winter kill in addition to more favorable winter conditions. The antelope dealt with severe winters in the past before the west was crisscrossed with cattle fences. I don't know what effect the fencing has but I suspect it has resulted in bigger population swings when winter conditions are unfavorable.

 

[handwerk]

My 2 sons and I had a decent hunt this year, not that there were so many critters but it seemed they had good moisture/horn growth.

 

[Kurts86]

In South central the numbers were slightly improved from rock bottom but the age class was all 2 years or less.

I drove most of the state in fall 2023 and it was really, really bad.

The pronghorn populations peaked between 1980-2006 at around 600k. Winters hit them hard and oil and gas development has not helped in the last 15 years.

 

[Coveyleader]

There are places like near Laramie where there are tons, they escaped the wrath of winter and disease. The. From there west, uff, wasteland.

 

[Baddog]

In South central the numbers were slightly improved from rock bottom but the age class was all 2 years or less.

I drove most of the state in fall 2023 and it was really, really bad.

The pronghorn populations peaked between 1980-2006 at around 600k. Winters hit them hard and oil and gas development has not helped in the last 15 years.

Why do you think they peaked at that time frame? What boosted the population say from the 50s?

 

[jyen]

The numbers in SW Wyoming are still low, but I did see an improvement this year for sure.

 

[go_deep]

Everyone needs to tell the game and fish not to kill one more single doe till they do recover.
Yeah, we need a few good winters, and to stop killing the does we do have!

 

[EdP]

Everyone needs to tell the game and fish not to kill one more single doe till they do recover.
Yeah, we need a few good winters, and to stop killing the does we do have!

I do find it strange that Wy G&F issues "Any Antelope" tags in units with populations so reduced that the tag quotes are a fraction of what they were 6 or 7 years ago. There may be a good reason but to an easterner used to whitetail management strategies it seems odd.

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

I do find it strange that Wy G&F issues "Any Antelope" tags in units with populations so reduced that the tag quotes are a fraction of what they were 6 or 7 years ago. There may be a good reason but to an easterner used to whitetail management strategies it seems odd.

It stinks. They have to balance recovery with shareholder (hunter interests). It is what the people want. Blame the hunters not game and fish