Pronghorn
Hunters will again notice an improvement in pronghorn hunting when compared to last year, both in number of pronghorn and 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 and survival during the summers of 2012 and 2013. However, very mild winters in 2013-14 and 2014-15 coupled with higher than average moisture, have resulted in conditions that rarely get better, for all local wildlife species. In general, license numbers and season lengths are similar to 2014 across the region and hunters can expect additional opportunities in the future if conditions persist.
Hunters in Hunt Area 94 are reminded to obtain a permission slip from Western Wyoming Range Limited Partnership before accessing private lands.
As is typical for this part of the state during wetter periods, hunters are reminded to stay on established roads and to be prepared for challenging driving conditions, particularly in clay soil types.
Deer
Hunters will likely experience better hunting for mule deer in 2015, given recent mild winters, improved fawn production and survival, and ample spring-fall precipitation.
Increased fawn production occurred in many Green River Region deer herds the past three years, with the exception of the very dry, low deer density Hunt Areas 100, 101, and 131.
Overall survival of deer was very good during the last three winters in all areas resulting in increased deer numbers across the region. Most Green River Region hunting seasons have been restricted to a five to 14-day antlered deer structure with very limited opportunity to hunt does.
An antler point restriction is now in place in Hunt Area 131 (four-point restriction), remains in place in Hunt Area 132 (three-point restriction), and has been added to Hunt Areas 133, 134, and 168.
Areas with better buck and total deer numbers will have longer hunting seasons. Hunters can expect a good variety of buck age classes to choose from this year, and antler growth appears to be good this year due to very good habitat conditions.
Buck ratios generally remain in the special management (≥30 bucks:100 does) category in most mule deer hunt areas in the Green River Region.
Mule deer numbers in the South Rock Springs herd (Hunt Areas 101 and 102) appear similar to last year, and some large bucks were observed this summer. License numbers were reduced for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and those hunters successful in the draw should experience very good hunting this year. The season in Hunt Area 102 will again be open for any deer, and hunters will continue to be restricted to taking antlered deer in Hunt Area 101.
Hunters can expect to see good numbers of older-aged bucks in these areas. Many deer hunt areas in the Green River Region have a few white-tailed deer. In most areas, the season restrictions apply to both species, while a few areas are open for “any” white-tailed deer.
White-tails are most common in the Little Snake River Valley portion of Hunt Area 82 and 100, along the Green River between, and including, LaBarge Creek and Interstate 80, within and adjacent to Kemmerer town limits along the Ham’s Fork River and along the Black’s Fork River near Robertson.
Elk
Elk numbers remain high and continue to increase across the region, with most populations remaining above objective, with exception of the two special mangement herds, South Rock Springs and Steamboat.
Regional personnel expect another above average hunting season for elk hunters with ample licenses and long seasons. The Steamboat or “desert” elk herd, Hunt Area 100, is estimated to be slightly below objective and licenses were reduced for 2015.
As per current special management direction, bull ratios remain high for this population. This area continues to be extremely popular with hunters, probably due to the abundance of mature bulls and limited time it requires to harvest an animal.
The West Green River herd in Hunt Areas 102-105 remains slightly above objective, especially in the western portion of Hunt Areas 103 and 104.
As a result, the number of antlerless elk licenses remain numerous in this portion of the herd unit, while antlerless opportunity was reduced in the more popular Hunt Area 102.
We will continue to maintain a shorter “any elk” general season to continue managing for higher bull-to-cow ratios and older-aged males. The department significantly increased harvest in the South Rock Springs herd (Hunt Areas 30- 32) in recent years due to growing numbers of elk. This interstate population is difficult to manage since elk move freely between Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah to escape hunting pressure and utilize existing seasonal habitats.
The department slightly increased opportunity in this area for 2015, and hunting will be very good for those who draw licenses. Bull ratios are high and many older-aged trophy class animals were harvested in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Hunting remains very liberal across much of the Sierra Madre elk herd to address a population that has been significantly above objective for many years. Issues surrounding hunter density, access, road density, and perennially low bull ratios continue to impact the Department’s efforts to manage this population.
Increased harvest of antlerless elk in Hunt Areas 13, 15, 21, and 108 will be achieved through a combination of general any elk, general antlerless, and reduced price cow-calf licenses. Recent efforts regarding these seasons has resulted in fewer elk and improved bull ratios and bull age of harvest. Seasons in the Petition herd in Hunt Area 124 will be the same as last year. The department will continue to put the majority of harvest in this area on the female segment of the herd to limit population growth. This area is becoming a popular area with “trophy” bull hunters. Hunters that plan to use the Tipton Hunter Management Area, are reminded to check permit availability and ranch rules on the department’s website, since permit numbers are limited. 12 Elk hunting in the Uinta herd unit (Hunt Areas 106 and 107) and elk numbers in the “Wyoming portion” of this interstate herd unit continues to be affected more by snowfal patterns than other elk populations in southern Wyoming.
Elk in this herd move between Wyoming and Utah, creating challenges for sportsmen in Wyoming. Additionally, access is a concern in this herd, particularly in Hunt Area 106 where private lands are often leased to outfitters.
The population is managed to minimize damage to stored grass hay, but snow depths on the Northslope in Utah dictate the number of elk wintering in Wyoming more than hunting seasons.
Moose
Moose populations in the Uinta and Lincoln herd units remain down and this fall’s season will remain conservative. Disease caused by parasites have been documented and significant losses appear to have occurred, although recent losses are much lower than previous observed losses, and increased moose numbers have been documented. Population trend is upward on all Green River moose herds and increased opportunity is forthcoming if this trend continues. Antlerless moose licenses have been eliminated in the Uinta and Lincoln moose herds, with the exception of antlerless moose opportunity in Hunt Area 33 along the Green River. Bull hunters will find ample opportunity to harvest large, older-aged bulls, particularly in Hunt Area 26.
Hunt Area 33 was reopend last year for the first time in 10 years to address moose numbers and habitat issues on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge.
However, no antlerless moose were harvested in this area in 2014, so the area is open for only antlerless moose, except cow moose with calf at side, in this year.
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