• Elk population remains strong

Calling it a “bright spot,” Gary Fralick, Wyoming Game and Fish Biologist, said “The deer have come through two consecutive winters with very little mortality.”

Fralick made the point in a conversation with SVI Media during the Wyoming Game and Fish open house in Thayne Mar. 19.
He continued, “We’re looking at the deer coming off the big winter ranges in La Barge, Cokeville and Evanston and they are in really good shape.”

Noting the improved health, he added, “I’m looking at good antler production this year.”

Acknowledging the discussion with hunters during the Star Valley stopover, Fralick explained, “We’re proposing a little longer deer season by about five days. Rather than close on the 25th, were proposing closing on Sept. 30. For the areas in northwest and western Wyoming.”

He advised, “This deer heard is really resilient. They have responded positively. The does are coming off the winter range in great shape and they are bringing their fawns with them.”

He added, “We have seen that doe fawn ration increase from in the low 30s last year to 83 this year. It’s just a polar opposite response.”

Fralick said he saw signs of improvement this year when seeing deer doing well at 9,000 feet during this December flyovers.
“That’s a pretty extraordinary in what we saw,” he said of the deer. “We need a couple more of those and the people will be pleased with the population response.”

No changes are expected with the elk seasons.

“Now on Elk, we are not proposing any change,” he said. “We have the Afton elk heard within it’s management goals and objectives.”

He continued, “We’ve had a positive response with bull numbers and bull ratios in Greys River and specifically on the Forest Park feed ground.”

Fralick concluded, “We would like to continue with that season and allow that population of bulls to maintain itself and even hopefully increase this year.”