Officials with the Bridger-Teton National Forest, National Elk Refuge, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced plans today for the opening of wildlife winter range at 6 am on May 1st, 2023 in Teton County Wyoming. This winter has been long and cold with deep snow continuing to linger in the valley. While wildlife in Teton County have fared better than deer and pronghorn populations elsewhere, this is a time when wildlife are typically at their weakest. The primary wildlife concern is for bighorn sheep and mule deer. Elk that attend winter feedgrounds may benefit from moving onto native winter range to reduce disease transmission.
Additionally, most roads on the National Forest remain impassable due to lingering snow and muddy conditions. Many people anxiously await the opening of wildlife winter ranges to hunt for shed antlers. Officials stress that this year will likely be different, and people need to plan ahead and be prepared. Many elk have not yet left feedgrounds or low elevation winter ranges, thus wildlife managers do not expect many antlers to be found in traditional National Forest locations.
Wildlife Closures: Wildlife winter ranges on the Bridger-Teton National Forest are closed until 6 am Monday May 1st. Likewise, WGFD state lands in Teton County are closed until 6 am May 1st. The National Elk Refuge gate also remains closed until 6 am May 1st. From May 1st until May 15th, the Forest Service has established two small voluntary avoidance areas – one in Curtis Canyon and one in Flat Creek – to protect bighorn sheep. Current research being conducted on the Jackson bighorn sheep herd that occupies the Gros Ventre Mountains has shown relatively low levels of body fat this winter and a low pregnancy rate. Biologists believe this is likely due to carrying more sheep than the habitat can support in recent years. Recreationists are asked to give these animals plenty of space so as not to disturb them if encountered.
Road access: Road access will be extremely limited this year. The National Elk Refuge Road will open at 6 am May 1st but the Curtis Canyon Road on the National Forest will be closed to vehicle travel and the Flat Creek Road will be closed to vehicle travel beyond the Forest kiosk. People accessing these areas should plan to park on the right side of the Refuge Road to ensure a travel lane remains open for emergency vehicles. Vehicles blocking road access will be towed. Due to limited parking capacity, shed hunters should be prepared to walk or bike to get to the Forest.
There are three authorized National Forest access points from authorized access-possession corridors on the National Elk Refuge, they are as follows: Elk Refuge Road and Crystal Butte National Forest Access Trail, Curtis Canyon Road and National Forest Access Trail, and Flat Creek Road and Dry Hollow National Forest Access Trail. In order to access and return from the National Forest, these routes must be taken, regardless of possession status of natural products (including shed antlers). There will be zero tolerance for trespassing across the National Elk Refuge. The Gros Ventre gate will open at 6 am May 1st with vehicle travel allowed up to Slate Creek gate. Non-motorized use is permitted beyond the gate. There is no legal access to the National Elk Refuge from the Forest boundary on the Gros Ventre Road. All other National Forest roads on the Jackson and Blackrock Districts remain closed due to snow including Fall Creek, Shadow Mountain, Granite Creek, and Toppings Lake Roads.
Safety: While south-facing slopes are beginning to open up, all north-facing and shaded slopes hold deep snow. Skis or snowshoes will be required for any travel in these areas. Trying to post-hole through soft snow will quickly result in exhaustion and/or injury. Grizzly bears have emerged so carry and know how to use bear spray. All coolers, food, and garbage must be stored within a hard-sided vehicle.
Law enforcement personnel are actively patrolling areas and Forest Service personnel will be checking conditions regularly. Roads will be opened as soon as conditions permit. Jackson District Ranger Todd Stiles said people can help by reporting conditions they encounter while recreating on the Forest. “I recognize that people are anxious to be out on the Forest but we all know that this has been an exceptional winter. For the sake of wildlife, public safety, and road conditions, we all need to be patient”.
Free travel maps are available at the Forest Supervisors Office or the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, both located on N. Cache. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Bridger-Teton National Forest at 739-5400.
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