Gillette antelope

[Oak]

Hmm, no mention of the big pink elephant in the corner of the room.

[SIZE=+1]Overpopulation, drought kill antelope[/SIZE]

GILLETTE (AP) -- Poor range conditions and overpopulation are being blamed for a number of antelope deaths in Campbell County, especially south of Gillette, this winter, a state biologist said.

So far, about 50 antelope have been reported dead, and Gillette biologist Heather O'Brien of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department said there likely are more that haven't been reported.

Some have been found dead together in groups of five to 20, usually averaging 10, O'Brien said. Some may have been from earlier in the winter but are now more visible with snow melting off.

The impact overall has been minimal on the herds because antelope populations throughout the area are well over desired numbers, especially in the southern portion of the county.

"I am just planning to keep a watchful eye, collect more information as it comes in, and see what the weather does in the next six weeks," O'Brien said.

She hopes that forecast includes more moisture.

"South of town is just parched," O'Brien said. Weather gauges show just an inch of moisture fell all winter in some areas, she said.

Sagebrush plots in the south showed little growth this past year. As a result, some antelope are dying off at the end of the winter as they wait for new plants to emerge.

"Even though we didn't have that much snow, we also didn't have much forage," O'Brien said. "We've had a couple of reports of deer die-off, but it's been mostly antelope."

Deer can cope better in dry conditions because they can store fat over the winter. But antelope can't do that.

"They're getting to the end of the line. ... Most are found to be malnourished," O'Brien said.

Jackrabbits also are dying off because of the conditions, she said.
The problem is compounded by the fact that many of the wildlife compete for the same food sources.

"You don't really realize how much one rabbit can eat. But there's a lot of rabbits out there," O'Brien said.

 

[BuzzH]

Funny how most people ignore that pink elephant...

I've heard it called a dead moose sometimes too.

 

[Tom]

I've heard 3 jackrabbits will eat what one deer eats. Is it true, anybody know?

 

[Oak]

Funny how most people ignore that pink elephant...

My guess is that Miss O'Brien doesn't have balls the size of church bells.

 

[Bambistew]

I thought there would be more than enough water out there?

 

[MarvB]

They're kind of hard to miss too.....

 

[Nemont]

The impact overall has been minimal on the herds because antelope populations throughout the area are well over desired numbers, especially in the southern portion of the county.

"I am just planning to keep a watchful eye, collect more information as it comes in, and see what the weather does in the next six weeks," O'Brien said.

Sounds to me that biologist Heather O'Brien of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department doesn't think the big pink elephant in the room is hurting the herd too badly. How many need to die to get down to their "desired numbers".

I have a freind that moved to Gillette last December and he has antelope dying in his back yard in town.

Nemont

 

[MarvB]

Yeah one "persons" elephant is another persons agenda...they just don't get it.

Kind of an apples/oranges deal comparison wise but we've got our own elephant out here...the elephant trainer explained it by saying:

“It's really a question of how do you balance the benefit to humans and the impact on wildlife,” Robbins said. “It's a very tough call.”

Robbins just happens to herd elephants as the manager-chief engineer for the Coachella Valley Water District in So. Cal....and here is their wonderful project and the imapct it's having:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/outdoors/20070217-9999-lz1s17gotodie.html

 

[cjcj]

Geez I remember seeing hundreds along the hwy around Gillette 20 yrs ago, Wyoming could make $$$$ off a hunt.

 

[MarvB]

Yet another elephant breaks loose to roam the room...

http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=16895

cjcj- Maybe this gal can give you a hand with your ATV fight! hump

 

[Moosie]

I've heard 3 jackrabbits will eat what one deer eats. Is it true, anybody know?

depends on the state... Texas rabits eat at a ratios of 2.1:1 ...