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CHEYENNE -- Although elk harvest has been severely impeded in mountain areas, the fall drought may have a moderate silver lining by allowing Wyoming big game to tackle the winter in better condition.
“In essence, many big game herds have ‘dodged the bullet’ (snow, cold) for close to 6 weeks,” said Reg Rothwell, biological services supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “Their fat reserves have remained high and that should equip them to deal with winter better when it finally arrives and also spring storms.”
He explains that how well big game animals fare in winter is often based on their preparation. “The animals had great forage this summer and an extended early fall, so the animals should be better prepared for winter than they are most years,” Rothwell said.
Although annual precipitation is still at or above normal in many areas of the state, Rothwell cautions that an extended drought would be a detriment to big game and other terrestrial wildlife. “An prolonged drought reduces forage quality, fawn production and nesting habitat,” he said. “I hope this drought is just for the short term and we get good snowpack like last year.”
G&F Fisheries Chief Mike Stone also says the dry, warm weather “is not really a concern” to Wyoming’s fisheries at this stage. “One thing the warm weather did was prolong the open-water fishing season,” he said. “Many anglers got their fly rods off the rack and enjoyed the extended fall.”
Uploaded: 12/6/1999
Uploaded: 12/6/1999