Game and Fish Host Mule Deer Conversations

Recently, The Wyoming Game and Fish Department Sheridan Region invited the community to take part in conversations about the decline of the mule deer populations. On Saturday, November 23, from 9 to 11 a.m., Game and Fish personnel were at Rocky Mountain Discount Sports, (RMDS) and later at Sportsman’s Warehouse, and residents could come and share their concerns.

The Game and Fish is hoping to gain insight from landowners, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts with discussions on the future of Wyoming’s mule deer management.

Eric Maichak, Sheridan District Wildlife Biologist,

When asked about the causes of decline, Maichak added that problem was not just in northeast Wyoming, but statewide and throughout the mule deer’s entire range in the Intermountain West. “The populations have been on the decline for several years,” he said.

Another factor for the low numbers was winter mortality

Michak talked about some factors that may help the population recover.

Michak added that there had been a good turnout for the conversations. “We definitely appreciate the feedback from stakeholders who attended. We also appreciate it from those who could not attend, and encourage those with concerns for mule deer to contact their local WGFD wildlife managers, submit comments at bit.ly/muledeerfeedback, and for those who received a harvest survey to submit comments therein.”

There will be two meetings in Gillette on Sunday, Dec. 8. The first will be at Rocky Mountain Discount Sports, 4706 South Douglas Hwy from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the second from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sportsman’s Warehouse, 91 Town Center Dr.

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