2014 Elk, deer, pronghorn hunting season forecast
For Sublette County area
by Wyoming Game & Fish
September 13, 2014
Hunters can expect fair to excellent hunting for elk, deer and antelope this hunting season depending on hunt areas and weather conditions during the high hunter activity periods of the hunts. The following forecast gives hunters an idea of what they can expect during the upcoming hunting season.
PINEDALE REGION
ANTELOPE
Population estimates for the northern portions of the Sublette pronghorn herd (hunt areas 87-90) are slightly below desired levels. Lower elevation sagebrush communities throughout the region are in very poor condition due to consecutive 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
The Sublette and Wyoming Range deer herds are two large populations with special management strategies designed to provide high quality hunting opportunities, older age-class deer, and high buck-to-doe ratios. Hunting conditions should be good this fall. Seasons in all regional hunt areas have been designed to increase deer numbers and reduce buck harvest below the 5-year average. To accomplish these goals, a standardized closing date (October 7th) for all general license hunting seasons in the Sublette herd unit was implemented in attempts to spread out hunting pressure. In addition, nonresident quotas for Region H will remain at 800 licenses.
ELK
The Sublette and Wyoming Range deer herds are two large populations with special management strategies designed to provide high quality hunting opportunities, older age-class deer, and high buck-to-doe ratios. Hunting conditions should be good this fall. Hunting seasons in all regional hunt areas have been designed to increase overall deer numbers and reduce buck harvest below the five year average. To accomplish these goals, a standardized closing date (Oct. 6) for all general license hunting seasons in the Sublette herd unit was implemented in attempts to spread out hunting pressure. Liberal seasons have been in place for several years and are designed to move populations toward post hunting season objective levels while maintaining at least 20 bulls per 100 cows in post-hunt populations. Elk numbers in the Pinedale herd remain near the upper limits of the post season trend objective despite increased hunter success and improved overall harvest in 2013. For the Upper Green River herd, sportsmen can anticipate good hunting conditions during the 2014 hunting season. This herd remains near the upper limits of the post season trend objective of 2,500 animals and similar to the 2013 hunting season.
Additional information on hunting season forecasts for 2013 can be found on the Game and Fish website wgfd.wyo.gov.
|
