UNDERPASS IS WORKING FOR MIGRATING DEER

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BAGGS - Cameras installed at the new highway underpass on U.S. Highway 789 north of Baggs revealed that nearly 500 mule deer used the underpass in mid-October.

The underpass was installed earlier this fall to assist migrating mule deer crossing the highway to winter range and to protect motorists from collisions with big game animals.  Installation of the underpass was a joint project between the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI), the Wyoming Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Green River wildlife management coordinator Mark Zornes says in addition to the new highway underpass, WYDOT has fenced approximately five miles of the highway right-of way, which will help reduce the number of deer killed on the highway between Dad and Baggs.

"We were losing a few hundred deer each year to vehicle mortality each year as a direct result of increased traffic associated with energy development in the region," said Zornes.  "The traffic between the Creston Junction exit off Interstate 80 and Baggs on Hwy 789 has increased and consequently large numbers of deer are getting killed as they migrate to and from winter range."

WYDOT has installed five miles of fencing along with one 10 foot by 20 foot deer underpass and also provided deer access to a large existing culver around five-mile-point to facilitate deer migration.  Zornes said additional deer underpasses and fencing modifications are needed, but these improvements will come with time and additional funding.

"This project is a welcome sight to those folks interested in reducing habitat fragmentation," said Zornes.  "It will reduce conflicts as deer become conditioned to using the underpass. This is a great first effort to reduce deer-vehicle collisions in the area, but we realize more need to be done to improve the ability of mule deer to migrate and to further reduce highway related mortality. Three or four additional underpasses are a definite need in this fenced section.  However, our ability to complete these projects is limited by funding availability and engineering constraints. These are expensive projects, but hopefully we can develop the partnerships necessary to cover costs."

WGFD wildlife technician Sam Lockwood is assigned to facilitate deer migration in this area. Lockwood is baiting mule deer to the underpass and culvert, and dealing with potential deer, vehicle and fence conflicts. This effort will continue through May.

                " We will be meeting with WYDOT and local landowners to identify locations where more highway underpasses should be placed," said Zornes. "We also hope to work with private landowners to provide additional protections for this important migration corridor and to discuss their suggestions for additional projects."

"Thanks to the cameras installed by WYDOT we have seen deer, elk and a bobcat using the underpass. While conflicts will continue to arise regarding deer-fence issues this first year, the situation will improve through time and we are committed to minimizing these conflicts.  As the project stands, it is a win/win situation for motorists and mule deer."

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