• Meetings in Thayne, Jackson, Cokeville and Kemmerer

There are four opportunities in November and December to join the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s  conversation on Mule Deer.

RELATED: WGF SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON MULE DEER MANAGMENT –

Regional Meetings

• The Star Valley meeting is Monday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. in the Thayne Community Center.

• A Jackson meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Teton County Library.

• The Kemmerer meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 in the Best Western Conference Room.

• The Cokeville meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Cokeville Town Hall.

Topics for the meetings will be weather, habitat, predation, disease, resources and competition

Star Valley based Wyoming Game & Fish Biologist Gary Fralick told SVI Media, “Mule deer are an iconic species, and concern over declining populations is shared by virtually every major stakeholder group in Wyoming.”

He continued, “We are hosting community conversations to provide the public an opportunity to understand what Game and Fish is doing to conserve mule deer and to ask questions or provide comments regarding mule deer management.”

Fralick noted the meetings offer an opportunity to meet directly with the Game and Fish staff. “These meetings will provide an additional opportunity for the public to meet face to face with field personnel and to have focused discussions about mule deer in their backyard,” he said. “This engagement process is intended to demonstrate the department’s recognition of long-term mule deer population declines, the challenges mule deer face, and the significant public interest in harvest management”.

In a prepared statement, the Wyoming Game and Fish advised, “Wyoming’s mule deer are not only a cherished part of our wildlife heritage but also play a crucial role in our ecosystem and rural economies. Historically, mule deer were relatively uncommon in the early 1900s. Due to favorable conditions, populations surged in the 1950s and 1960s and reached historic highs. The most recent population peak occurred in 1991, with around 578,000 mule deer in the state. However, by 2023, this number has declined to an estimated 216,000 animals. Sharp declines in mule deer have occurred throughout western North America, most notably due to habitat loss and degradation along with changing weather patterns. “

The Game and Fish noted the need to address issue immediately. “Mule deer declines highlight the continued need for action. Game and Fish, along with many partners, has long been dedicated to addressing these challenges through implementing large scale habitat projects, working to minimize impacts to habitat, highway crossing projects, research and conservative hunting seasons. It is critical we continue – and even expand – mule deer conservation efforts while ensuring Game and Fish understands current public sentiment toward managing hunting opportunities now and into the future.”