Crucial mule deer winter range set aside
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recently finalized a conservation easement on some of the most important mule deer habitat near Lander.
The easement sets aside 1,882 acres of crucial mule deer winter range on Table Mountain, just south of Lander, from future development. Additionally, the landowners donated a hunting access easement on the parcel to provide big game hunting opportunities. Access is open for non-motorized hunting of pronghorn, deer, and elk. Access must be gained by adjoining public lands or with permission from adjoining landowners, as there is not a public road to the conservation easement.
For this easement, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission exchanged 240 acres, the Maxon area north of Missouri Valley Road, of the Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area. The Commission retains a permanent public access easement that will allow Game and Fish to continue stocking the area with pheasants from the Sheridan Bird Farm, and will provide hunters the ability to hunt upland birds, small game, and deer from September 1 through December 31 of each year.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department Lands Administrator Brian Rognon says, “This project not only permanently secured public hunting access to over 2,000 acres, but it also permanently protects over 1,800 acres of crucial mule deer winter range from development. This will help ensure we continue to have access and wildlife to hunt in these areas.”
The easement sets aside 1,882 acres of crucial mule deer winter range on Table Mountain, just south of Lander, from future development. Additionally, the landowners donated a hunting access easement on the parcel to provide big game hunting opportunities. Access is open for non-motorized hunting of pronghorn, deer, and elk. Access must be gained by adjoining public lands or with permission from adjoining landowners, as there is not a public road to the conservation easement.
For this easement, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission exchanged 240 acres, the Maxon area north of Missouri Valley Road, of the Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area. The Commission retains a permanent public access easement that will allow Game and Fish to continue stocking the area with pheasants from the Sheridan Bird Farm, and will provide hunters the ability to hunt upland birds, small game, and deer from September 1 through December 31 of each year.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department Lands Administrator Brian Rognon says, “This project not only permanently secured public hunting access to over 2,000 acres, but it also permanently protects over 1,800 acres of crucial mule deer winter range from development. This will help ensure we continue to have access and wildlife to hunt in these areas.”
307-332-2688