Wyoming Naturally



Wyoming, Where the Antelope Play!
Pronghorn can also be found in Wyoming.  They are often referred to as “antelope”. Thousands of pronghorn travel north across the Green River Basin and Red Desert to the Mountains of Gros Ventre and as far as Grand Teton National Park, a migration directon that can continue almost 170 miles. Thousands of mule deer mingle among them, and the two species comprise the largest migratory passage of any land mammals in North America south of the Canadian border. They are a living remainder of the ancient Pleistocene.

Pronghorn population stands at about 1 million in the United States and Canada. About half of these animals live right in Wyoming. But even in their prime habitat in Wyoming, the group is troubled with threats that have decreased the herd about 40 percent since 1984. One of the biggest reasons for a problem is fencing.  Pronghorn can jump over or get under just about anything!  A fence with an unbarbed bottom strand at least 16 inches above the ground is recommended by the Game and Fish Department —but not many fences are put up to assist pronghorn. Mesh fences tied to the ground hamper the animal’s movement.

While pronghorn numbers have decreased because of factors such as highways,  drought, and fencing, the Game and Fish Department has curtailed pronghorn hunting, which increases funding for wildlife management. This loss of revenue has caused a decrease in pronghorn research for the past 20 years. More can be learned about the Pronghorn at the National Wildlife Foundation.
Home