WGFD offers tips to help wildlife in dry summers

After a winter of record-low precipitation and unseasonably warm temperatures, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is closely monitoring habitat conditions and wildlife impacts across the state.

The lack of consistent snowpack at lower elevations led to an unusually early spring green-up or resulted in no significant green-up at all in places, especially across southeast Wyoming. 

Wildlife impacts

While the mild winter and early growth of vegetation led to high winter survival, wildlife managers are concerned about how long those nutritious forage conditions will last, even with the slight uptick in moisture which has fallen this spring. 

Limited deep soil moisture is expected to reduce annual production of important shrubs used by pronghorn and mule deer. 

Biologists expect a shortened window of high-quality forage could lead to lower fawn survival and reduced weaning weights this fall, as females face high nutritional demands while raising young and preparing for winter.

Wetlands and riparian areas may also experience lower-than-normal water levels this year. These areas serve as important “sponges” on the landscape, providing water, food and cover for a wide variety of wildlife species, as well as recharging aquifers which supply streams.

As smaller, ephemeral streams dry up, wildlife will increasingly concentrate around livestock tanks, irrigated agricultural lands and other dependable water sources. This can increase wildlife conflicts and damage concerns on private lands.

WGFD uses a variety of management tools to maintain healthy populations, and hunters and landowners are an essential component in sustaining herds and habitats. 

By adjusting the structure of hunting seasons, managers can partner with hunters and landowners to reduce wildlife conflicts and help maintain herds at carrying capacity. 

This year, managers in southeastern Wyoming increased a number of license types for this reason, including many pronghorn opportunities as well as maintaining unlimited Type Eight cow/calf elk licenses in several areas. 

Habitat counts

To improve long-term drought resilience, WGFD is executing several habitat improvement projects in 2026. 

Three beaver dam analog projects and spring protection efforts will protect water sources for both wildlife and livestock. 

Following treatment of more than 50,000 acres of cheatgrass in 2025, additional aerial herbicide treatments are also planned at the Thorne-Williams and Laramie Peak Wildlife Habitat Management Areas to ensure native vegetation has the best possible chance to recover when moisture returns.

How to help

Residents and recreationists can also help wildlife during dry conditions by giving wildlife extra space, particularly around water sources and avoiding repeated disturbance; keeping dogs under control, especially near wetlands, riparian areas and crucial summer habitat; reporting sick or unusually stressed wildlife to local WGFD personnel via the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP and/or volunteering for habitat improvement projects or picking up trash at favorite outdoor recreation areas.

Even during difficult drought conditions, habitat improvement efforts, responsible recreation and public lands stewardship can help Wyoming’s wildlife remain resilient

WGFD is dedicated to conserving, enhancing and protecting Wyoming’s exceptional fish and wildlife resources and the habitats that support them. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov.