Respect Wildlife
Driving tips to avoid collisions with wildlife:
- The eyes of deer, elk and other wildlife actually shine (or reflect back) in vehicle headlights, allowing drivers to see their eyes in the darkness. Keep on the lookout for animals along the road at night.
- You are more likely to encounter wildlife on highways prior to a storm and on days where there is fresh snow on the roads. Be sure to drive slowly during these road conditions.
- More moose are killed on the Teton Village Road than any other road in Teton County; be sure to keep your speed to the 45 mph limit, particularly at night since moose are very difficult to see due to their dark color. Moose are most likely to be crossing roads at night wherever there are lots of willow and cottonwoods. Look for moose crossing by the Snake River Bridge on highway 22.
- If you see one elk or deer along the roadway, you are likely to see more since they tend to travel in groups, not individually. They also follow the same migration and feeding travel routes each year, so when you see one dead animal expect to see more. The Skyline Hill on highway 89, just northwest of town is a frequent crossing place for elk and deer.
- More elk were killed last winter on highway 89 south than the rest of the county. Elk, deer and moose also travel along heavily vegetated corridors like the Teton Village Road between Tucker Ranch and Teton Pines, Expect them crossing in these areas.
- If you see a moose on the road and try out driving it, you will deplete its vital energy reserves and you could cause the death of that animal without even hitting it. If possible, let the animal move off the road or slow down and pass carefully. Never try to outrun it.
- Keep in mind that on dry pavement going 55 mph you can stop within 300 feet, but on icy pavement it takes 500 feet to stop. This may partially account for the fact that the number of moose killed by automobiles in the winter, is double the number killed in the summer
- The range of an average car headlight is only 200 to 250 feet. In order to avoid hitting animals at night, you should slow down to 40-45 mph on dry pavement and to 30 mph on icy pavement if you want to be able to stop.
- If you hit an animal, call the Sheriff's office or the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and help prevent needless suffering.
- To avoid hitting wildlife with your vehicle, you must always watch the sides of the road and be on the alert for animals trying to cross. Be aware of the "hot spots" in the valley and be particularly alert in those areas.
- Wildlife are most active and most often seen on the road at dawn and dusk, in their search for food and water. These poor lighting conditions affect your ability to see animals attempting to cross the road, so it's very important to slow down at these times of day. The greatest numbers of deer are killed by automobiles at dusk and dawn. The majority of elk and moose are killed at night.
- It's important to remember that many people have been killed, and many others have been seriously injured in vehicle collisions with bison, elk, moose, deer and other wildlife. Protect yourself and your property by driving cautiously and watching out for wildlife on all County roads.
Respecting Winter Closures
That's the message several government agencies, environmental groups and recreation clubs hope to spread this winter through the "Don't Poach the Powder" campaign. The groups want to let residents and visitors know that "poaching" wildlife closures with skis, snowboards or snowmobiles can be as harmful to wildlife populations as poaching with a rifle.
The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation joined a unique partnership with the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association, the Teton Conservation District, and the Wyoming State Trails Program to help end a harmful practice that continues despite Jackson's environmentally conscious constituency.
Why is it harmful to violate winter range closures?
- Human presence stresses wildlife, causing them to use precious energy they need to survive until summer.
- Deep snow, cold temperatures, and a lack of food make winter a stressful time for wildlife.
- Large ungulates such as elk, mule deer, moose and bighorn sheep rely on wind-swept south facing hillsides for winter food.
What can you do to help?
- Respect wildlife and their habitat by knowing the location of closed areas before entering the Forest and avoid wildlife winter range. Closures are in effect from December 1 – April 30.
- Obtain a free winter travel map from any Forest Service office or the visitor center on North Cache
- Help spread the word about winter closures with your friends. Many of the violations are not intentional and could be avoided if the people knew where the closure areas were located
- Obey the closures even when the snow is beginning to melt and dry areas are exposed. Hikers, paragliders, horseback riders and bicyclists can have the same dire impacts on weakened wildlife just coming out of the winter season. Spring is an important time for wildlife to restore depleted energy resources
- Donate funds to the Bridger-Teton National Park Foundation and ask that your donation be used for winter range enforcement personnel
- Stop at the information kiosk at major Forest Trailheads. The winter closure maps and information is generally posted in these areas as well.
- Report offenders to the individual agencies responsible for enforcement (e.g. Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Targhee National Forest).
- content provided by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation
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