Over 999,000 readers this year!

Wyoming may reduce pronghorn hunting licenses by 9,425 due to drought and record spring blizzard

(Pixabay)

CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department said Friday that they are proposing reducing the number of pronghorn hunting licenses for the 2021 season.

“For the 2021 season, managers are recommending a reduction of 3,650 any-antelope licenses and 5,775 doe/fawn licenses,” Game and Fish said. “Reductions impact most herds  in the state. Full proposals are available on the Game and fish website.

The department said they are recommending cutting the number of licenses this year due to the on-going drought conditions and the record-breaking spring blizzard’s impacts on pronghorn in many areas of the state.

“The license reductions should be short-term, according to wildlife managers who believe the conservative proposals for each herd will stabilize pronghorn populations and allow them to bounce back,” Game and Fish said.

Game and Fish Deputy Chief of Wildlife Doug Brimeyer noted that the number of pronghorn hunting licenses can fluctuate from year to year in Wyoming.

“In 2019, Game and Fish increased quota by 3,400 licenses; in 2020, the number was reduced by 6,675,” the department said.

Game and Fish said that precipitation levels and habitat conditions have the most significant impacts on pronghorn populations. Wyoming has seen below average precipitation in spring and summer over the last few years “when it is most crucial for greening up shrubs, forbs and grasses, the primary food sources for antelope,” Game and Fish said. “And, when there are dry conditions and less food is available, that means less pronghorn.” 

“Pronghorn population  performance is tied to the availability of high-quality forage which includes seasonal use of grasses, forbs and shrubs,” Brimeyer said. “That forage availability is influenced by weather patterns which have been challenging for pronghorn the last two years.”

Game and Fish noted that record breaking spring storms dumped over 10 feet of snow in some regions this year and that spring surveys indicated elevated pronghorn winter mortality levels.
 
“Everyone is familiar with the blizzard conditions in eastern Wyoming this March,” Brimeyer said. “It was already a crucial time for wildlife survival following winter. Pronghorn especially are not physically built to handle deep snow conditions. We saw pronghorn trapped between drifts, unable to get to the food they needed.”

“That weather made a direct impact on the  2021 hunting season proposals.” 

Brimeyer expressed optimism that reducing the number of hunting licenses will allow pronghorn to rebound quickly.

“The animal is incredibly resilient on a population scale, and typically has high reproductive capacity,” Game and Fish said. “Nearly 98% of does have twins each year, and that could amount to population increases as high as 30% by 2022 if conditions on the ground are supportive.”

Brimeyer added: “If conditions are favorable, we could expect to see fawn ratios bump up. That means we’re hopeful for good spring and summer moisture to support leader growth on shrubs and  native grasses.”

The department will be monitoring pronghorn populations closely over the summer and conduct surveys in August.

Game and Fish noted that the proposed license reductions will mean less opportunities for hunters.

“With the reductions, hunters will need to study the proposals and make informed decisions on where to apply,” said License Section Manager Jennifer Doering. “If you’ve already applied for an antelope license, make sure you check that the season dates and the quota once finalized at the end of April.”

Those who do draw a license are still likely to find success, according to Game and Fish.

“Wyoming is still home to more pronghorn than any western state. Last year, pronghorn hunters reported  an 88% harvest success rate, and wardens and biologists strive to maintain a high-quality hunting experience for pronghorn hunters,” Brimeyer said. 

The department will “present the 2021 hunting seasons and quotas for approval at the upcoming Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meeting in Jackson, April 19-22.

“The deadline to submit or modify hunting applications for antelope is June 1 for residents and nonresidents,” Game and Fish added.

This article originally appeared on Oil City News. Used with permission.


Back

Related