Pronghorn running

Movement matters

Shining a light on survival in Wyoming's harsh climates: Wyoming is home to some of the longest, intact big game migrations on the planet. But long or short-term, animals must move across the landscape to survive. 

 

From big game migration to fish passages, migration is an area of emphasis for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Learn what the Game and Fish is doing to improve Wyoming's wildlife movements.

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Big game migration

Game and Fish evaluates data and proactively manages migratory habitat throughout the state, including three designated corridors.

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Wildlife crossings

Wildlife crossings reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by giving wildlife the green light for safe passage.

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Fish passage

Culverts, irrigation diversions and dams can block fish migrations, but there are many ways to improve this infrastructure to benefit fish.

Partnership to Conserve Big Game Habitat in Wyoming

In 2021, the USDA and other federal partners approached Wyoming stakeholders to see how they could help with Wyoming wildlife. In response to stakeholder feedback, a pilot program was created through a locally led, ground-up initiative. The collaborative success has had significant impacts on Wyoming’s big game migrations.

Latest News - First Item

Latest News

Wildlife on road
WGFD Wildlife News
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission met in Dubois last week for its May meeting. The Commission once again invested in wildlife crossings to help prevent vehicle collisions with big game, as it voted to approve an additional $500,000 toward The Wind River to Grand Tetons – Connecting Wildlife on the Togwotee Trail Dubois…

Today's continued work

 

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department continues to study wildlife migration to conserve these historic routes now and into the future.

Collecting data

Biologists collect data annually from collars on mule deer, pronghorn, elk, bighorn sheep and moose. This advanced GPS technology confirms thousands of wildlife use the same migration routes to move between winter and summer range each year. Tagging fish allows the Fish Division to monitor how fish move around as well.

Focused management

With GPS collar data, Game and Fish and our partners can prioritize where to focus funding committed for better management of habitat within migration corridors and other critical seasonal habitats.