”The next steps include an in-depth status review and analyses using the best available science and information to arrive at a 12-month finding on whether the removal of ESA protections for grizzly bears in the NCDE and GYE are warranted,” wrote media contact Joe Szuszwalak. “If so, removing ESA protections would then be initiated through a separate rulemaking process, with additional public notice and comment.”

“What I think this will do,” Sommers said, “it’ll ease that rush of people.”

“We’re not seeing significant mortality yet, but if winter conditions continue as is, we are likely to see above-average mortality for both mule deer and pronghorn,” said Pinedale Region Wildlife Supervisor John Lund. “Now is the time to give these animals a break to increase their chance of making it through the long winter ahead.”

In Sublette County, the average gas price was $3.45, according to GasBuddy price reported on Wednesday.

“Many people chose to relocate to less populated, lower cost areas during the pandemic, and the increased availability of remote work made this possible,” Wenlin Liu, chief economist for the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division, said in a Monday report on the data.

Wildlife managers suggest these best practices to help wintering wildlife: Leave fence gates open wherever possible to allow unimpaired movement of animals across the landscape, especially along roadways so animals can avoid a potential vehicle collision. This can also help reduce damage to fences and prevent animals from getting entangled and dying. Many landowners have modified their fences to make them more wildlife-friendly by replacing the bottom wire with a smooth wire and lowering the top wire or adding a pole to the top. The Wyoming Game and Fish and their many partners have converted nearly 700 miles of traditional fence to wildlife-friendly fence in the Pinedale area alone. Avoid snowmobiling or recreating on low-elevation winter ranges, but rather opt for the high country with deeper snow where animals are less likely to be disturbed. Resist the urge to feed wildlife to “help” them through the winter, as it typically does more harm than good. Feeding can result in increased potential for disease transmission, as well as conflicts with people, pets, and traffic due to high densities of animals in developed areas. Similarly, protect and make stored hay crops and pet feed unavailable to wildlife, especially alfalfa. While game animals will readily eat these foods, they may not be able to metabolize them, and will often end up dying with a full stomach. As motorists, plan ahead, drive slower and pay close attention for animals along our roadways. Wildlife-vehicle collisions occur at a higher rate during the winter months and research has shown that slowing down, even just five miles-per-hour can greatly increase a driver’s reaction time to avoid a collision. This is especially important at dawn and dusk when animals are more active and harder to see.

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The project team has been working to finish the baseline conditions report and develop a range of options for improving safety and recreational access along the corridor to consider. The team will present these considered projects and improvements along the corridor in poster form and look forward to getting valuable in person feedback from the public so please attend at your convenience.