Screen Shot 2015 11 30 At 5 02 09 PM

The Bridger-Teton National Forest is enforcing the winter range wildlife closures throughout the forest.  Special travel restrictions apply to portions of the forest from December 1st – May 1st of each year.  These areas are identified on the Winter Travel Plan maps, which are available at each forest district office, as well as at the Visitor Center on North Cache in Jackson. These maps should be referred to if planning a trip to the forest.

It is important that all users understand the significance of observing the critical winter range closure. Critical winter range areas have been designated as essential to the survival of wildlife. When people access closed winter range, the animals using the area flee to new locations. This retreat requires animals, especially ungulates like deer, elk and moose, to use energy they cannot spare. Further, it usually places them in areas less suitable for grazing and/or browsing, preventing them from gathering the energy they need to survive through the remaining months of winter. This leads to a weakened condition, which can have a direct effect on the animals’ ability to defend itself, making it more susceptible to predation and disease, and can lead to future reproduction problems in individual animals.

As people who care about wildlife, we have a responsibility to know before we go which backcountry areas serve as critical winter habitat and migration pathways for wildlife and are closed seasonally to protect wildlife. Be responsible. Respect Wildlife. Don’t Poach the Powder!

Category: Uncategorized