WYOMING 2014 STATEWIDE HUNTING SEASON FORECAST

WYOMING 2014 STATEWIDE HUNTING SEASON FORECAST

PRONGHORN (antelope)

JACKSON REGION In the Jackson Region, northern portions of the Sublette pronghorn herd include Hunt Areas 85 and 86. Although hunter success is good, Hunt Area 85 (Gros Ventre) offers very limited hunting opportunities. There will only be 15 licenses offered for the season. Hunt Area 86 (Hoback) has seen an increase in pronghorn during the past several years. However, hunter access is limited and the majority of the hunting opportunities are located on private lands in the Boundurant area.

CODY REGION Overall, pronghorn hunting in the Bighorn Basin is going to be tougher than previous years due to extended drought causing a reduction in pronghorn numbers and seasons designed to reduce numbers to address agricultural damage on private lands. All pronghorn populations in the southern Bighorn Basin which include the Copper Mountain herd (Hunt Areas 76, 114, 115) and the 15-Mile herd (Hunt Areas 77, 83, 110) are below target population objectives. Hunting seasons in these areas are going to be fairly conservative to either maintain or promote population growth. Damage on private lands from pronghorn in cultivated crops have subsided in recent years; therefore, the 2014 hunting season will have fewer doe/fawn licenses in most hunt areas. In addition, Type 1 and 2 license quotas will be reduced in Hunt Areas 77, 110 and 114. Prolonged snow cover and several sub-zero cold snaps last December, January and February had negative effects on these pronghorn herds. Hunters should expect conservative seasons for the next several years to allow these herds to increase. In Hunt Area 80, both buck antelope and doe/fawn licenses have been reduced to allow this herd to grow. Hunt Areas 78, 81, and 82 should have similar seasons to 2013 and hunting should be good. Near Greybull, we suspect hemorrhagic disease also impacted overall numbers of antelope. We are seeing fewer antelope associated with private farm land so doe/fawn hunters may have to hunt a little harder. Hunters with a Type 1, any antelope license should be pleased with the quality of buck antelope this year. Greybull Warden Bill Robertson said, "Buck quality is as good as I have seen it for several years and likely due to good spring forage conditions."

SHERIDAN REGION Antelope populations are still at high levels in several herd units, so hunting seasons have been designed to give hunters plenty of opportunity in those areas. The outlook for antelope hunting in most of the Sheridan Region is once again pretty good. However, in those hunt areas north of Gillette and Moorcroft, antelope populations are lower than a few years ago, so license numbers have been set accordingly. In the Sheridan Region, and all other antelope hunt areas in the state, hunters are allowed to purchase a second any antelope license and up to four doe/fawn licenses. However, potential hunters need to be aware that most antelope hunting is found on private land and they should make arrangements for a place to hunt prior to buying licenses. Hunters willing to wait until after the opening day and first weekend of the season may find it easier to get onto private lands. It is possible to find some antelope on the parcels of public lands scattered around northeast Wyoming, but hunters can expect to find other hunters also using those lands. Because of crop damage issues, Hunt Areas 22 and 102 near Buffalo will once again have early rifle doe/fawn seasons beginning September 1 in portions of the hunt areas.

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GREEN RIVER REGION Hunters will notice an improvement in pronghorn hunting in 2014 when compared to 2013, especially concerning horn growth. Mild winter weather and ample moisture have yielded good horn growth this year. Conditions were favorable throughout the Green River Region for both improved animal body condition and fawn production this year, which will improve hunting for this year and following years. As always, hunters will find variable pronghorn hunting opportunities in the Green River Region depending on population status but, in general, the outlook is improving. Many pronghorn populations in the region were significantly affected by the winter of 2010-11 and drought caused lower fawn production/survival during the summers of 2012 and 2013. This year's above average precipitation has arrested this decline and fawns are exceptionally abundant, particularly in higher elevation pronghorn habitats. In general, license numbers and season lengths are similar to 2013 across the region (Hunt Areas 53, 57, 58, 59, 92, 93, 94, 96, 98, 99, 100, and 112). Hunters in Hunt Area 94 are reminded to obtain a permission slip from Western Wyoming Range Limited Partnership before accessing private lands.

It is much wetter this year in many Green River Region antelope hunt areas than the past 10 years. Hunters are reminded to stay on established roads and to be prepared for challenging driving conditions, particularly in clay soil types.

LARAMIE REGION The Laramie Region received good fall precipitation this past year, and good spring and summer precipitation this year. Habitat is in good condition across the region given this above-average moisture. Based on preliminary pronghorn classification data, fawn ratios have increased from previous years. Pronghorn should be entering the fall in very good body condition and, thus, should have good overwinter survival. Pronghorn hunters should expect to see fewer pronghorn based on our decreased pronghorn population estimates across the region. However, given the higher quality habitat, pronghorn hunters should expect to see better horn growth on bucks and an increase in fawns in the field this year compared to the past few years. Many of the region's pronghorn herd units are below their population objectives as a result of the 2010-11 severe winter, EHD outbreaks, and 2012 drought. Pronghorn licenses were reduced across the Laramie region for the 2014 seasons due to the decrease in pronghorn populations. As a result, hunting should be good for those who were able to obtain a license this year.

Much of the land in southeastern Wyoming is privately-owned, which limits access in some hunt areas. Consequently, hunters should be cautious when purchasing leftover licenses in those areas identified as having limited access. Good buck ratios and horn growth will provide a good hunting experience for hunters who can find a place to hunt. Hunters should refer to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S Forest Service (USFS) maps to determine which areas contain public land. Access for pronghorn hunting on private land in the region continues to improve, but can still be problematic. Private Lands Public Wildlife (PLPW) Hunter Management Areas and numerous Walk-In Areas provide access for pronghorn hunters on both private and public lands throughout the region.

New in 2014, Hunt Areas 38, 39, 40, and 104 have been combined into Hunt Area 38. Additionally, Hunt Areas 34, 35, and 36 have been combined into Hunt Area 34. Pronghorn hunters are encouraged to review their 2014 pronghorn regulations prior to going afield.

LANDER REGION

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Pronghorn populations continue to be down significantly throughout the Lander Region. Most of the region's pronghorn herds were below objective following the 2013 hunting season. To date, pronghorn classifications are showing increased fawn production in 2014. However, yearling buck ratios and overall numbers of pronghorn are down this summer due to extreme drought conditions experienced in 2012 and 2013. Increases in precipitation and forage production this year have contributed to good spring/summer habitat conditions. Buck quality may be better than expected as many quality mature bucks have been observed and hunters should expect good harvest success with a little more effort.

CASPER REGION Pronghorn hunting in the Casper Region will be good in most hunt areas in 2014, but hunters should expect to work harder than they have much of the past decade to fill their licenses. Due to elevated winter losses during the winter of 2010-11 and 3 consecutive years of record low fawn production, hunters will again see much lower antelope densities compared to those of a few years ago. However, appropriate license reductions were made for the 4th consecutive year in an effort to sustain hunter success rates and overall hunting opportunities. Pronghorn numbers remain notably low in Hunt Areas 30 and 31 south of Douglas and Glenrock, in Thunder Basin (Hunt Areas 27 & 29), and in much of the country between Lusk and Newcastle (Hunt Areas 6, 7, & 8). Hunters in southern Niobrara County (Hunt Area 9) should continue to expect good success along Highway 18-20, although local managers report pronghorn densities are not as high as they have been in recent years. In this area, hunter access to private lands via the Department's PLPW access program continues to provide good hunting opportunity. Areas around Casper are more of a mixed bag. Pronghorn numbers south of Casper in Area 32 remain near average levels, while areas west of Casper (Hunt Areas 70-72) have far fewer pronghorn compared to the past few years. Hunt Area 73 northwest of Casper still has good pronghorn numbers and should continue to provide some excellent hunting. Despite poor fawn production and survival the past 3 years, there is a bit of good news this year. Preliminary reports from Casper Region wardens and biologists indicate fawn production is excellent this year, meaning antelope populations may begin to finally recover. What a difference well-timed rain and snow can make! When pregnant doe antelope enter the winter in good shape and experience a wet spring (without severe blizzards), their improved body condition makes a huge difference in birth rates and the health and survival of their fawns. The excellent fall moisture and subsequent fall green-up, followed by the wet spring of 2014, provided such ideal conditions for good fawn production this year.

While overall buck numbers will be down in most areas, buck quality should be a little better than normal. The excellent moisture received last fall, coupled with improved forage production this spring and summer, resulted in productive pronghorn habitat going into the 2014 hunting season. This translates into improved horn growth and trophy quality. The mild weather during the winter of 2013-14 enabled pronghorn to devote more energy to horn growth as the energetic demands of winter survival were not as high as normal, and animals entered the winter in better body condition compared to recent years. Given the majority of horn growth occurs during winter and early spring months for pronghorn, bucks were able to get a good head start, and received an additional boost throughout the summer.

PINEDALE REGION In the Pinedale Region, northern portions of the Sublette pronghorn herd include Hunt Areas 87 through 90. Population estimates for this herd are slightly below desired levels. Lower elevation sagebrush communities throughout the region are in very poor condition due to consecutive

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years of drought. However, forage production improved during 2014 following periodic rainfall during the growing season. With the more abundant forage and available water, pronghorn remain scattered throughout much of the area and sportsmen can expect to see a good number of bucks dispersed throughout the hunt areas. Observations from this summer's surveys, indicate adult mortality during the winter of 2013-14 was "below normal" on most winter range complexes in the Pinedale Region.

DEER

JACKSON REGION The Wyoming Range deer population is designated as a special management herd which provides high quality hunting opportunities, mature age-class deer, and high buck-to-doe ratios. Deer numbers increased over the last 4 years because of high over-winter survival. The 2+ year old bucks should be well-represented during fall hunting seasons this year. The early portion of the winter allowed animals to remain dispersed on winter ranges and overall the population experienced low winter mortality. Summer rains were timely and maintained forbs in a high nutritional state and, as a result, hunters may notice bucks with exceptional antler growth ? similar to 2013.

The southern portion of the herd unit will offer 14 days of antlered deer hunting in Hunt Areas 134 and 135. Youth license holders will be able to take any deer from October 1-14, while general license deer hunters will be able to take antlered deer from October 1-14. General license, antlered-only deer hunting will run from September 15 through October 7 in the Greys River (Hunt Area 144), Salt River (Hunt Area 145) and along the east slope of the Wyoming Range (Hunt Area 143).

Nonresident quotas for 2014 in Region G will remain at 600 licenses. This strategy should help maintain quality bucks given existing herd ratios and population size.

In addition to mule deer hunting opportunities, a limited quota, doe or fawn white-tailed deer season will again be offered in the Salt River drainage (Hunt Area 145). White-tailed deer numbers along the Salt River have increased and can support a limited doe/fawn hunt. Subsequently, a limited quota, Type 8 license, (60 licenses) will be offered in Hunt Area 145 from November 1 through January 31. This Type 8 license can be purchased in addition to a statewide general deer license.

The Targhee deer herd is a small population on the west side of the Teton Mountains managed to provide recreational hunting opportunities. Population growth is restricted by limited winter range. Proposed hunting seasons in 2014 include a general license season for antlered deer from September 15 through October 7.

CODY REGION Mule deer numbers are still depressed in the southern portion of the Bighorn Basin and because of this, the 2014 hunting season is predicted to be mostly fair-to-poor hunting. For the past few years, these deer populations have struggled with harsh winters along with yearly outbreaks of hemorrhagic disease. Because these deer populations are below target levels, doe/fawn license quotas have been reduced or eliminated in many areas to help build these populations. Some limited quota areas such as Hunt Areas 37, 119 and 125 should see fair-to-good hunting, while

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Hunt Areas 116, 118, and 120 along with most general license areas will likely be tougher hunting. However, as long as hunters put forth the effort, they still should be able to find deer.

For those hunters looking to pursue white-tailed deer, you will likely see fewer deer than in past years. In 2013, hemorrhagic disease caused a significant die-off of white-tailed deer in most areas. Because of this, most hunt areas will have fewer licenses and hunting opportunities in 2014. It will likely take a couple years for these populations to rebound, barring any more disease outbreaks, so hunters should expect reduced deer numbers and tougher hunting for a couple years.

For the northern portion of the Bighorn Mountains, buck numbers have been holding steady with a slightly decreased buck harvest in 2012, and a slight improvement in 2013. The overall population still has not increased to levels seen in the mid 2000's so buck hunting will be fair-togood, whereas the doe/fawn hunting opportunity will be less in some areas. Near Greybull, field personnel report numbers are down from previous years. There have been some nice older bucks observed but younger buck deer are not as numerous, indicating poor fawn and yearling production/survival in past years. We reduced some doe/fawn licenses due to fewer damage conflicts, but have kept many of those licenses in areas with chronic agricultural damage despite the population being under population objective.

Mule deer hunters may have fewer older buck deer available in the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River this season. Deer populations are below desired levels and buck harvest was relatively high during the 2012 and 2013 hunting seasons. Good production in 2012 translated into more yearling bucks in 2013, which should be noticeable to hunters in 2014. The nonresident quota was reduced and doe-fawn licenses remain at minimal levels in order to reduce harvest and increase deer numbers in these areas.

Opportunities to harvest a mature buck deer in Hunt Areas 105 and 106 will be good in both the later portion of the general season and the November limited quota season in 2014. Recent changes in hunting season structures should also increase the percentage of older age class bucks in Hunt Area 109.

SHERIDAN REGION Deer hunting in the Sheridan Region is forecast to be about average in much of the region with less than average conditions in the northeast part of the region. Deer hunters in areas around Gillette and Moorcroft can again expect to see less deer than they did a few years ago. Whitetailed deer hunters in the Sheridan, Buffalo, and Kaycee areas will notice the negative impacts of the 2013 EHD outbreak with lower numbers of white-tailed deer in some places. Overall, hunters with access to private lands are expected to continue to have high success, while hunters on public lands can expect large numbers of hunters and comparatively lower success. Antler growth and body condition of deer appear to be good in those areas where deer have had access to better forage during this summer. There will likely be some real nice trophy bucks harvested this fall in the Sheridan Region. Hunters are advised that if they have access to private land they should consider buying reduced price doe/fawn deer licenses as several thousand doe/fawn licenses are available throughout the region with many of them restricted to private lands. Several deer hunt areas from Sheridan to Kaycee opened to doe/fawn rifle hunting beginning on September 1 to address crop damage issues. In Hunt Areas 24, 27, 29, 30, 33, or 163, hunters can again purchase an unlimited number of doe/fawn deer licenses until the quota is exhausted. In Hunt Area 24, no quota (unlimited) was set for the Type 8 white-tailed deer doe/fawn licenses.

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