Release-Lander Region WGFD to Host Mule Deer Workshop

LANDER-The Lander Region of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is hosting a Mule Deer Workshop on April 24 at The Inn at Lander’s Fremont Room, 260 Grandview Dr. This workshop will begin at 6:00 PM and focus on the future management of mule deer in the South Wind River (areas 92, 94 and 160) and Sweetwater (areas 96 and 97) mule deer herds.  This workshop will culminate in the appointment of a public working group to assist Game and Fish in mapping future management in these herd units.

Jason Hunter, Lander Regional Wildlife Supervisor, says “Game and Fish recognizes the hard work the local public has put in over the last three years at December and March season meetings to identify wildlife issues in our area.  A repeated and primary concern at these meetings has been the noticeable decline in mule deer in much of Fremont County.” 

“Mule deer populations continue to decline throughout much of Fremont County due, in part, to the drought exemplified by the extraordinarily dry summers experienced the past two years” says Daryl Lutz, Lander Region Wildlife Management Coordinator.  Lutz continues, “while there isn’t anything we can do about weather conditions, we can certainly consider the myriad of other factors affecting these herds such as habitat, nutrition, predation, and fawn productivity and survival.  In addition, we look forward to hearing more from the public about their ideas regarding hunting seasons and how we may best continue to provide hunting opportunity and address the quality of hunting experiences in these areas.”  Lutz finishes by emphasizing “hunting seasons are NOT the reason mule deer populations have declined.  Therefore, changes in hunting season structure will NOT bring mule deer back, but changes can certainly be made to improve the quality of the hunting experience given current conditions.”

At this workshop, Game and Fish will ask the public to build on the input gathered over the last three year’s season meetings. After this initial workshop, the Department will appoint twelve individuals representing varied interests in mule deer and mule deer hunting to serve on the working group. This working group will be charged with helping to develop future recommendations to best manage mule deer in these hunt areas. 

This is an important opportunity to share information, observations, or ideas valuable for the development and implementation of the working group.  Please plan to participate and ask those around you to get involved.

The State of Wyoming supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Anyone requiring auxiliary aids for this meeting, or with any other questions, please contact the Game and Fish regional office at: 307-332-2688.  Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations.

-WGFD-

 ***Please see 2 attached photos of a mule deer fawns. Photo of single fawn in field courtesy of Stan Harter. Photo of fawn twins courtesy of Mark Gocke

• GreenMtnFawn-Stan+Harter.JPG
• IMG_8686-Gocke.jpg