Sublette Pronghorn

TOGETHER, WE’RE GIVING SUBLETTE PRONGHORN A PATH FORWARD

Posted on by Meghan Riley

For millennia, Sublette Pronghorn have traveled the same time-worn migratory pathways, moving from Wyoming’s Green River Basin to lush summer ranges as far north as the Tetons. But in just the past 150 years, their journey has faced growing threats — from population crashes and barbed wire fences to energy development and rural subdivisions. Without bold and timely action, one of North America’s most iconic migrations could disappear.

Formally designating this migration corridor is the critical step needed to ensure its long-term survival. Now, after decades of research, years of prep work, and a dash of delays along the way, Wyoming is finally on the cusp of designating its first pronghorn migration corridor.

The recent public comment period, which closed earlier this month, was the last meaningful opportunity for people to voice support for conserving the Sublette Pronghorn migration corridor. Those of us at the Wyoming Outdoor Council set out to encourage as much public engagement in the process as possible, to make sure decisionmakers heard overwhelming support for designation.

Well, you all showed up in force: At events around the state and online, more than 270 people took the time to comment, far exceeding our expectations. At this point, all we can say is thank you. Thank you for standing up for Wyoming’s pronghorn and making it clear just how much this migration corridor means to you.

The truth is, resounding public support for designation could tip the scales for this corridor. In July, when the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meets to vote on whether or not to recommend designation to Gov. Mark Gordon, we know there will be testimony that questions the need for full protections. But thanks to you, we are on a firmer footing to hold strong against efforts to disregard the data and pick the corridor apart.

The fight is far from over, but we can feel good knowing that we’ve made it easier for state officials to do the right thing for Sublette Pronghorn.

Truthfully though, the sheer volume of public comments is only one part of the story. It was an absolute joy to meet with people online and across Wyoming to talk about migration and hear how much the Sublette herd means to so many of you. We heard so many wonderful stories about how Sublette Pronghorn have touched, and continue to touch, your lives. Especially during a time that can feel scary and overwhelming at the national level, it has been indescribably uplifting to join with so many of you in the common cause of protecting Wyoming’s wildlife.

As the July Game and Fish Commission meeting approaches, we will continue doing everything we can to ensure these pronghorn can carry out the long-distance migration they depend on. Thank you for fueling this effort — and for inspiring a renewed collective commitment to Sublette Pronghorn.

MEGHAN RILEY
Wildlife Program Manager
meghan@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org

Defending your public lands at our nation’s capital

Posted on by Gabby Yates

For Wyomingites, it can be hard to picture the hustle and bustle that occurs in Washington D.C., the seat of our nation’s government, where all our laws and policies are formed. Even more difficult can be tracking these intricate workings as Congress works to pass laws that will support their current political agenda. 

Politics and processes aside, most Wyomingites can agree that our vast public lands are the reason that many of us live here (and not in D.C.) — and that any efforts to threaten future access are an affront to our way of life. Last week, I had the privilege of traveling to our nation’s capital to advocate for protecting our public lands from these threats to defund and dismantle our public lands. 

In February, we witnessed major staffing cuts to the federal agencies tasked with managing our public lands, forests, and national parks. In the face of a growing recreation and tourism industry, and decades of budget cuts to several vital agencies, these short-sighted reductions in force have many of us wondering just how our public lands will be appropriately managed. 

Luckily, Wyomingites of all walks of life spoke up and I was proud to hand-deliver a printed letter to Wyoming’s Congressional delegation that over 1,200 citizens signed, opposing these mass federal agency layoffs. The message was well received, but our work to see our public lands stewarded for future generations is far from over. 

In addition to the risks caused by our land management agencies being under-staffed and under-funded, a larger threat looms in the form of some members of Congress being dead set on selling our federal public lands, calling the sale of public lands a “great idea.” 

In response to the threat, U.S. Senators voted on an amendment brought by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) late on Friday, April 4, that would have prevented the sell-off of lands from being included in Congress’ upcoming budget reconciliation. 

Our lawmakers had the opportunity to protect our public lands from being sold off to pay for future tax cuts — and, unfortunately, they failed to do so.  The amendment died on a 48–52 vote, leaving the threat of land sell-off on the table. Even more unfortunate was the fact that both Wyoming Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis voted against the amendment.

To put it bluntly, the threats to our public lands have never been greater. With the potential sale of federal lands being included in this upcoming budget package and more federal agency layoffs right around the corner, we need Wyomingites to keep speaking up on these issues so that our delegation hears them. Now more than ever, those of us who love our public lands need to fight to ensure they remain and are well stewarded. 

If you haven’t signed or shared our open citizens sign-on letter defending our public lands stewards, please sign below, or consider contacting your Congressional representatives today to let them know that you value our public lands far too much for them to be sold off. Some things just aren’t for sale. As always, thanks for speaking up and stay tuned for more ways that you can help protect the best things about Wyoming.

SIGN THE LETTER!

BREAKING: Game & Fish Department moves forward with Sublette Pronghorn migration corridor designation

Posted on by Max Owens

Press Release

LANDER, WYOMING (March 4, 2025) — Yesterday, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced a new phase in the process to designate the Sublette Pronghorn migration corridor, releasing a comprehensive Biological Risk and Opportunity Assessment. This report outlines specific threats to migration and opportunities for conservation along 10 discrete segments of the migration corridor. This marks an important step in the process to officially designate the migration corridor, initiating a formal public comment period that runs through May 2.

In response, the Wyoming Outdoor Council issued the following statement:

“We at the Wyoming Outdoor Council congratulate Department biologists on their thorough analysis of the Sublette Pronghorn migration. The Biological Risk and Opportunity Assessment clearly demonstrates the need to designate this migration corridor,” Meghan Riley, wildlife program manager for WOC, said. “The level of detail, not to mention the years of data and work, that went into this assessment are truly astounding.”

After the harsh winter of 2022–23 drastically reduced the Sublette herd’s population, alleviating pressure from development in key migratory habitat is imperative for its recovery. Animals that were able to migrate further south experienced higher survival rates than pronghorn that overwintered to the north, clearly demonstrating the need to protect connectivity between seasonal ranges.

“This population took a huge hit, especially in the north of the herd’s range. Recovery is slow-going and precarious, given existing and anticipated threats to corridor functionality,” Riley said. “With widespread public support for conserving this herd’s migratory habitat, it is our hope that the Game and Fish Commission heeds the call to protect this storied herd of pronghorn for current and future generations to enjoy.”

Following an analysis of public comments, Game and Fish will present its case for designation to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission at their July meeting. At this time, commissioners will vote on whether or not to recommend designation of the Sublette Pronghorn migration corridor to the governor.