Pronghorn and deer in Western Wyoming will soon be able to cross fences along their winter migration routes more easily thanks to improved fencing along Wyoming Highway 28. The stretch of highway east of Farson can be difficult for pronghorn to navigate during winter migration.
Dean Clause, a wildlife biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in Pinedale, said that there is winter range on both sides of the highway, but that some pronghorn couldn’t get through the fence or negotiate it well with deeper snow levels and have died in tough winter conditions.
Work is underway for the first phase of the project improving fences and so far, seven paired gates, which can be opened during heavy migration to provide a 32-foot opening for traveling herds, have been installed. This allows animals to cross the highway without having to navigate the fence.
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed this spring.
The full project could be completed in fall 2020.
