Wyoming Game and Fish Department invite the public to participate in the 23rd annual deer mortality surveys. The mortality surveys assess how this past winter has affected the Wyoming Range and Uinta mule deer herds of western Wyoming.
According to Mark Zornes and Jeff Short, wildlife biologists and survey coordinators, the annual surveys are conducted on mule deer winter ranges to assess overall mortality for the herds, and to evaluate which age classes have been impacted the most.
The Cokeville area surveys will take place Saturday, May 7. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Stateline gravel pit, three miles southwest of Sage Junction on U.S. Highways 30/89. The Leroy surveys (east of Evanston, Wyo.) will take place Saturday, May 14. Volunteers will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Leroy exit (Exit 24) off Interstate 80. Participants should bring a lunch, water, and dress appropriately for weather conditions. Surveys will be conducted on foot or horseback. If participants choose to conduct their work from horseback, they are welcome to bring their own horses or mules.
In order to participate in the deer mortality surveys, new volunteers will be required to fill out a volunteer form in advance. For more information on the Cokeville surveys contact Green River Wildlife Management Coordinator Mark Zornes at 307-875-3223. For more information on the Leroy surveys contact Mountain View Wildlife Biologist Jeff Short at 307-782-6810.