PINEDALE — On Sept. 20, the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation will lead volunteers in tearing out two lengths of fence near Fremont Lake. The barbed-wire fences, located on BLM and Forest Service lands, are no longer needed. Situated near the south end of the lake, they stretch through the high-use part of the Red Desert to the Hoback mule deer migration corridor. “Getting rid of these fences will remove an obstacle for the several thousand deer that pass through here twice a year, and also benefit the local pronghorn antelope and sage grouse,” said Cody Pitz, Habitat Program Coordinator for the Foundation.
In preparation for the workday, Pitz met up earlier this week with the Pinedale Bureau of Land Management’s Ben Smith to look over the work areas and iron out details. Pitz will train newer volunteers on how to best wind and roll wire. Removing fences can be difficult and the terrain is a bit uneven, but it is very rewarding and important work.
The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation is a volunteer-based organization, so they are always looking for helping hands. People interested in the immediate Fremont Lake fence pull or any future projects are encouraged to contact Cody Pitz and get on the Foundation’s email notification list. Email Pitz at cody@jhwildlife.org.
