WY mule deer decline

[Oak]

Info on the Pinedale Anticline population...

In January, Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc. released a report – prepared in 2007 for the Bureau of Land Management, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Questar Exploration and Production – documenting mule deer trends in Wyoming’s Pinedale Anticline, an area undergoing natural gas development.

The report focused on the Mesa mule deer population, the population within the larger Sublette herd that is in close proximity to natural gas development operations. The researchers found a 30 percent decline in the Mesa population during a seven-year period (2001-2007) of intensive energy development.

The observed population trend was consistent with the Mesa population’s demographic rates, which when modeled predicted a 27 percent population decline. Further, the population’s emigration rate was estimated at only 1.5 percent per year, and thus was not likely a significant component of the decline. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department also estimated a 10 percent decline for the Sublette herd as a whole during the same time period.

Energy development at the Mesa site resulted in 1,520 acres of direct habitat loss, primarily at well pad sites, which accounted for less than 3 percent of the Mesa area. Indirect habitat loss, however, extended much farther. The model-averaged estimate predicted that mule deer avoided energy development sites by 2.6 to 7.5 km, depending on the level of human activity.

In fall of 2008, the Bureau of Land Management released a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Pinedale Anticline Project Area that allowed for year-round development of an additional 12,000 acres. The additional energy development may further affect the mule deer herd, as much of the approved 12,000-acre area overlaps with the herd’s winter range. However, the ROD also designated 440,000 acres as “unavailable areas” for energy development.

 

[smalls]

Very interesting Oak.

At this point do you think the additional 12,000 acres would be developed immediately or would NG prices have to rise before that happens. It seems the projects we were involved with around Rawlins and south of Hardin have essentially gone dormant.

 

[Oak]

I'm not sure of the situation up there, but around here things are very slow. The cost to get NG from the Rocky Mountains to market is higher than other areas, so I expect the price will have to rise to at least $5-$6 to see any substantial uptick in development. Last summer the price was over $10!

 

[wyomuledeer]

The mule deer herd in sublette county is no doubt on a decline. Its sad I have been hunting up there for ten years now going in on horse back. We used to see 10 does and fawns driving into camp. Now your lucky to see that in one day in the mountains.

 

[sreekers]

There aren't as many as there were a few years ago, but I don't believe that the Gas development is the ONLY reason for declines. Look at unit 143, for example. Any Deer! I would hope that they would change that reference here soon. I think there are multiple reasons for the decline, but the acres lost contribute to that significantly.

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

wyomuledeer,
I sure hope you guys see more than 10 does with the tag your brother has!

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There are low numbers on all the winter ranges in Western WY. Its not just the oilfield like Scott posted.

Comparing the winter range numbers before 92 to after and it was the worse I've ever seen it. Compare it to now and 10 years ago and its almost as bad as right after 92.

I think everyone should just go hunt Colorado

 

[Oak]

Hey now......

 

[1_pointer]

There's a new parking lot with lots of trucks and a few school buses for transportation to the site in Evanston...

Deer have been down as well for the last 10+ years on the UT side as well and there's been little to no O/G development. From what I've learned, the UT herds were hit very hard in '93. again in '96 and a bit again in '06. That said, just about every doe I've seen this year is packing a fawn with lots of twins. A couple more years like this surely wouldn't hurt...