An extended winter, complete with deep snow and frigid temperatures continue to take a toll  on Wyoming’s big game populations.

The problem brought Gov. Mark Gordon, the director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and members of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to Pinedale late in March to review the challenges and seek solutions to what is expected to bring a high mortality rate among the wildlife.

Looking over a large packed room at the Pinedale Library, Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner Ken Roberts of Kemmerer told SVI Media,  “This is an impressive site — the governor, Legislators  and sportsmen all getting together in a collaborative process. “

He continued, “We’re in trouble but there is light at the end of tunnel. We’ll do the best we can with what we are working with.”

Roberts says wildlife numbers have little promise for a good year.

“Right now, it’s catastrophic. Have different sections doing a little bit better than Pinedale. We are talking about a mortality rate of 70 percent on [some wildlife,]”  he said. “As far as fawns, we’re not going to have any fawns this year. It’s just that perfect cycle. It’s snowing right now. We just got to have some way to get through it.”

In a subsequent interview on Weekday Wake Up, Director Brian Nesvik said the fawn mortality rate could be 100 percent this winter and spring.

On the optimistic side, Roberts pointed out, “There’s going to be a lot of green grass for those fortunate to make it through and they are going to  be back bigger and healthier than they have been in the last few years.”

The commissioner concluded, “Everyone shares this, everyone with the Game and Fish; it will be all hands on decks to get through this. If you have thoughts, give me a call, this is a collaborative effort, let’s make it work.”

The full interview with Commissioner Roberts can be heard below.

A Mar. 31 news release from the Governor’s office advised, “This winter has been one of the hardest winters Wyoming has experienced in recent history. According to temperatures recorded at the Pinedale airport, the 30-year average for days of temperatures below zero is approximately 39 days. This year, there were 62 days below-zero temperatures. Compounding the winter conditions has been an unusually large  amount of snow, with many areas currently at 125-150 percent of the average snow pack. These factors have severely impacted Wyoming wildlife, and concerns from the public have grown as antelope, and deer carcasses have become substantially visible.”

Joining Governor Gordon and Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) Director Brian Nesvik was Dr. Kevin Montieth, a professor at the University of Wyoming’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources.

Dr. Monteith shared with the Pinedale audience that in addition to tougher than usual winter conditions, antelope have been hit hard by a rare bacterial pneumonia, which appears to be spreading.

Dr. Monteith further explained that some solutions that have been called for, such as feeding antelope and mule deer, are not good solutions because, unlike elk, the digestive systems of these animals cannot quickly adjust to hay. Monteith explained to an audience of more than 200 that the best solution to help Wyoming wildlife is protecting and enhancing the animals’ habitat and protecting migration routes so animals can more easily seek forage. Access to their natural foods over the summer and fall allows the animals to enter winter with higher body fat content, helping them survive winter when shrubs and sagebrush brush are scarce.

The governor’s office news release acknowledged receiving suggestions, including limiting hunting quotas and seasons this year. Director Nesvik explained that this is an ongoing evaluation, and the WGFD continually monitor all the factors, taking them into account in future decisions.

“We are experiencing one of the toughest winters for big game in Wyoming’s recent history,” concluded Director Nesvik. “We have difficult decisions to make, and I appreciate everyone who came to our town hall. Rest assured; those tough decisions will be made in consideration of biology and the advice we hear from concerned citizens.”

The complete interview with Director Nesvick is available below.

In Pinedale the Governor Gordon closed the meeting, saying “I thank all who came to the town hall in person or virtually. Wyoming people care deeply about our wildlife. That was clearly shown today. I greatly appreciate all the suggestions, questions and comments they shared today. Wyoming folks are not shy. I am committed to working with our citizens to provide healthy wildlife populations for generations to come.”