Deer herds showing improvement

AFTON (WNE) — Deer have come through two consecutive winters with very few deaths, Gary Fralick, Wyoming Game and Fish Biologist, said last week during the Wyoming Game and Fish open house in Thayne Mar. 19.

He continued, “We’re looking at the deer coming off the big winter ranges in La Barge, Cokeville and Evanston and they are in really good shape.”

Noting the improved health, he added, “I’m looking at good antler production this year.”

Acknowledging the discussion with hunters during the Star Valley stopover, Fralick explained, “We’re proposing a little longer deer season by about five days. Rather than close on the 25th, we’re proposing closing on Sept. 30 for the areas in northwest and western Wyoming.”

He called the deer herd “really resilient.”

“The does are coming off the winter range in great shape and they are bringing their fawns with them,” said Fralick.  “We have seen that doe-fawn ratio increase from in the low 30s last year to 83 this year.”

Fralick said he saw signs of improvement this year when seeing deer doing well at 9,000 feet during this December flyovers.

No changes are expected with the elk seasons.

This story was published on May 26, 2025.