Gas Development Disrupting Winter Range Deer In Wyoming

PINEDALE, Wyoming, November 30, 2004 (ENS) - "Natural gas development in the Upper Green River Valley of Wyoming is affecting the distribution patterns of wintering mule deer, new research shows. A study funded by Questar Exploration and Production Company and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) demonstrates that mule deer tend to avoid areas close to well pads and associated access roads.
Hall Sawyer, a wildlife biologist with Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc., uses helicopter net-gunning techniques to capture deer every December. He equips them with GPS radio collars that record an animal’s position every two hours. The collars are designed to drop off on April 15.

Sawyer retrieves them and plots their data on maps, which show where these deer spent their winter. His work covering the winter of 2003-04 yielded 15,000 GPS locations from 10 deer. "This report shows that energy development is forcing mule deer out of their natural winter range habitat," said hunter and outfitter Tory Taylor of Taylor Outfitters of Dubois, Wyoming.

"Forcing mule deer to expend more energy during the winter when there’s less available food could have serious consequences for our future hunting opportunities. It is unclear whether mule deer migration corridors and winter ranges will remain for deer after the current gas boom is gone," Taylor said. "Twenty years ago, big game winter range was considered sacred ground by wildlife managers; land was left alone and undisturbed during the crucial winter months."

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"This study shows that energy development is happening too fast without understanding the full impacts," said Ralph Faler a lifelong hunter and fifth generation Sublette County resident. "The mule deer herd is very important to local residents and hunters like me. So if we are to protect Wyoming’s heritage and traditions, then energy development here must happen at the right place and right pace. When it’s gone, it’s gone for good."

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As they drive around with "Sportsmen for Bush" bumper stickers on their SUV's and trucks. Unfortunately, they probably won't see the irony of their actions.