Due to persisting winter conditions, the U.S. Forest Service in cooperation with Idaho Fish and Game and Wyoming Game and Fish has extended the winter closure in the Teton Basin Ranger District. The closure will remain in effect until April 30th. The extension of the closure will give big game animals a few extra weeks to recover from the harsh winter and replenish their depleted energy reserves without human disturbance. District Ranger Jay Pence says the deep snow doesn’t allow animals to travel into other areas and if people are wandering around on the hill, the animals could be trapped and stressed beyond their capacity to recover. Any extra movement an animal makes costs energy which may deplete what little it has left. Energy depletion can lead to sickness and oftentimes death, especially for fawns and calves at this critical time of year. Pence says as the snow begins to dissipate on south facing slopes, shed hunters and recreationists begin going into the open spaces that provide a reprieve for big game animals when they are at their most vulnerable. In addition to respecting the official closures, any effort made by folks to voluntarily minimize disturbance to deer and elk across the region as they are recovering from the harsh winter is urged.
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