Western Wyo.—April 21, 2020—Bridger-Teton National Forest reminds forest visitors that winder wildlife restrictions remain in effect until May 1, 2020. It is important that all users understand the importance of observing the critical winter range closure.

Critical winter range areas have been designated as essential to the survival of wildlife. When people access closed winter range, the animals using the area flee to new locations. This retreat requires animals, especially ungulates like deer, elk and moose, to use energy they cannot spare.

Further, it usually places them in areas less suitable for grazing and/or browsing, preventing them from gathering the energy they need to survive. This leads to a weakened condition, which can have a direct effect on the animals’ ability to defend itself, making it more susceptible to predation and disease, and can lead to future reproduction problems in individual animals.

Forest biologists also stress the importance of staying off freshly exposed slopes in and out of the closure areas. These muddy, tender slopes are prone to degradation from user traffic when wet. This type of degradation can lead to erosion problems that affect water quality, fisheries and the production of grasses and forbs used by grazing/browsing wildlife.

Remember; be responsible when using the great outdoors. Spring is in the air, but winter is still on the ground. With cold temperatures and heavy storms still a possibility, your wildlife populations need your respect. Stay on designated travel routes and learn the location of closed critical winter range before heading out into the Forest. The bears are also up and moving all across the Forest so bring your bear spray and practice bear safety when exploring the Forest.

Also, it is a good time to remember that we all have a responsibility to make conservative decisions when venturing out onto the Forest. Be sure to let someone know where you are headed and remember that creeks or roads frozen in the morning may be soft and impassable after the temperatures rise. Visitors are encouraged to only recreate locally, as in respecting public health guidelines and orders and remaining in the communities they live and work in.

With the increase in vehicle traffic due to social distancing measures, recreationists are asked to avoid times and places of high use as to not exceed parking area capacity and not cause resource damage by expanding parking areas in crowded locations. The Bridger-Teton is working very hard to make recreation opportunities available, but visitors must respect social distancing requirements and follow County, State and Center of Disease control (CDC) guidelines.

As a reminder there are no services on the Bridger-Teton National Forest right now as many of the Forest restrooms and developed areas are closed or inaccessible due to snow. Visitors are asked to practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash.

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