Weather pushes big game into city
CHEYENNE - The pronghorns are in town early this year.
While it is not unusual for pronghorn antelope to come into Cheyenne and Laramie during the winter, folks at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department said it is unusual for it to happen this early in the winter weather season.
They are, of course, looking for food and shelter, which is more readily available in town than out on the wind-blown plains.
Antelope have created some traffic hazards in Cheyenne.
"People just need to take their time and be careful" when they spot antelope on or near the street, said Cheyenne police Sgt. Nathan Buseck.
There haven't been any accidents, he said, and any traffic problems with the pronghorns have been "very minor" so far.
He said antelope have been in the area of Miller Elementary. A group have been roaming the neighborhood between Eighth Avenue and Pershing Boulevard and Evans and Central avenues.
"Wildlife are best enjoyed from a distance," said Bob Lanka, a regional information and education supervisor for the Game and Fish Department.
That is the first thing to keep in mind.
Approaching wildlife raises their metabolic rate and results in more energy being expended during a time when they need it.
The early cold weather has likely caused a higher rate of mortality among the pronghorns already, he said, though there is no data yet.
There are no laws against feeding big-game animals that wander into the city, said Scott Smith, city spokesman.
But feeding wild big-game animals is not a good idea, Lanka said.
Feeding concentrates wildlife, enhancing the spread of disease, attracting predators and diminishing the fear of people so that they may become more aggressive. Improper food also can cause illness or death.
For those who want to help decrease big-game mortality in winter, Lanka suggests:
-- Keep your distance and leave wildlife alone.
-- Keep pets confined and do not allow them to chase wildlife.
-- Slow your vehicle down, especially on icy roads and at dawn and dusk. Big-game animals forage near roads and regularly cross them in search of food.
-- Make fences as wildlife friendly as possible by allowing animals to move either over or under more easily.
The department has a brochure on fencing and wildlife available at regional offices.
-- Consider having one pasture where livestock will be confined in winter and leaving the rest of your gates open so that wildlife can move through if you own a ranch.
-- Pick up bailing twine, loose wire and other things wildlife may become entangled in.
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2009/12/11/featured_story/01top_12-11-09.txt
