Bridger-Teton Reminds Public of Seasonal Wildlife Migration

News and Adventure from Glacier National Park

The Bridger-Teton National Forest would like to remind the public of a seasonal recreational closure on the Pinedale Ranger District near the outlet of Fremont Lake. The purpose of the seasonal closure is to minimize human disturbance to migrating mule deer in the spring and fall.

In collaboration with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Forest has implemented a no human presence closure from April 1 through April 30 and from November 1 through November 30 each year, in a crucial area along the Sublette Mule Deer Migration Route, which was designated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Data indicate deer using this migration route travel farther than any other mule deer migration ever documented, passing through many potentially life-threatening obstacles along the way. The closure area represents an important portion of the migration route, known as the “Fremont Lake Bottleneck.” This bottleneck is a top concern for mule deer managers, as this narrow segment of the migration route is critical for the passage of thousands of mule deer each spring and fall. In addition to the narrowness of the migration bottleneck, which is bordered by residential development to the south and by Fremont Lake to the north, a major concern with this area is the high level of human activity the deer must contend with as they cross Pine Creek or swim the lake outlet, move past the marina and multi-use trails at the CCC Ponds area, and cross the paved FS 111 and CR 154 roads.

Efforts have also been made to eliminate non-wildlife friendly fencing in the area, as well as the acquisition by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department of the Luke Lynch Wildlife Habitat Management Area, located just west of the proposed closure area.

Signs will be posted at key entrances to the area to remind the public of the seasonal closure.

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