Wyoming Antelope Winterkill

HikeHunt61

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Per Wyo G&F:

Baggs Pronghorn Herd – Hunt Area 53

Quotas in the Baggs Pronghorn Herd, Hunt Area 53, have been reduced due to many pronghorn moving out of the area this winter and having yet to return, some having died due to severe winter conditions and others likely still migrating back to their summer ranges. Collar data is unavailable for the Baggs Pronghorn Herd, and these reductions were made due to field observations and the absence of pronghorn in the hunt area.

Sublette Pronghorn Herd — Hunt Areas 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 and 101

Antelope in the Sublette Pronghorn Herd experienced severe winter conditions, record-breaking snow depths and a devastating pneumonia outbreak. Recent snowmelt has allowed wildlife managers to spend more time on the landscape and observe a significant increase in antelope mortalities. The observations and updated collar data now indicate approximately 75% of the collared adult doe population in the Sublette Pronghorn Herd have died due to Mycoplasma bovis induced pneumonia and winter severity.

Full-price antelope license quotas in the region were initially reduced during the season-setting process by approximately 50% compared to 2022 quotas, and all reduced price doe/fawn licenses were removed. The emergency rule further reduces quotas in these hunt areas.
 
That's the one my daughter and I applied for too. But, had been debating whether to withdraw our application or switch to a different area because I was wondering if there were any antelope left at all. Now I don't have to decide. Not too disappointed since I drew an elk tag in Wyoming.
 
Take the advice from G&F and modify your application if you've applied for any of these areas. It's really unbelievable to not see antelope that are showing up on their summer ranges now. There are so few. Usually you see large groups migrating with deer through the transition zones...maybe now you see a group of 5 at best. Just unbelievable...
 
Even before this year's winterkill there has been a lot fewer antelope in Central Wyo. This has pretty much been reflected in how few antelope tags have been issued the past few years.

On a bright note, the moisture ought to help the browse species and hopefully the does that made it through will do ok.....if they didn't already abort? We'll know in a few weeks once fawns start hitting the ground? Keep your fingers crossed there are a few healthy fawns that make it through the summer.
 
They should have included several more units connecting the 2. Up through lander Riverton to Muddy Gap and south to Rawlins. The numbers are pretty bad.
 
I am glad to see these tag cuts but I think WG&F could of went farther with the tag cuts... Riding around here in Casper area I am not see the antelope that we should be seeing. As far as deer the 20-50 tags here and there wasn't even close to what they should of cut....
 
I am glad to see these tag cuts but I think WG&F could of went farther with the tag cuts... Riding around here in Casper area I am not see the antelope that we should be seeing. As far as deer the 20-50 tags here and there wasn't even close to what they should of cut....
I agree with you that G&F didn't do enough, but they don't seem to agree with you about antelope in central Wyoming. They also went too far with some things, like adding doe/fawn tags west of Casper that are good for mule deer! But I don't just complain about it on here. I show up.

I've got an idea: maybe you and many more should too. We don't have near the numbers at the meetings to effect change and I sure could use some help!
 

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