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Wildlife typically move from higher to lower elevations when the weather turns colder, going from the mountains to the valleys, and from Routt County west toward Moffat County, said Kyle Bond, Colorado Parks and Wildlife district wildlife manager in the Steamboat Springs area.

This year’s heavy snowfall, prolonged snow on the ground and continued cold temperatures are stressing wildlife. Deeper snow in more traditional winter range areas is making it difficult for wildlife to move from one area to another in search of food, with the worst threat to fawns. More wildlife have been seen and hit on roads as the animals look for easier pathways, according to Parks and Wildlife officials.

“Big game animals are using roadways for travel to and from feeding grounds, which is leading to an increase in collisions on both country roads and highways,” said Rachael Gonzales, a public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

In two separate accidents in mid-January, 35 pronghorns on U.S. Highway 40 near Dinosaur were hit by a semi-truck, and 18 pronghorns were hit by a pickup on a county road near Craig. Officials urge motorists not to drive distracted, slow down and pay close attention to the surroundings, especially during dawn and dusk.

In an attempt to reduce public safety hazards, Parks and Wildlife officials are conducting limited, small-scale big game baiting to lure animals away from roads, highways and human conflicts. Gonzales stressed that the temporary baiting in Moffat County is not a sustained feeding program and citizens should not set out feed.

Parks and Wildlife officials say nature is taking its normal course on the wildlife population this winter.

A cow elk walks on the roadway just outside of Steamboat Springs. Elk are one of many large game animals looking for an easier path this deep snow winter. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials urge drivers to slow down and use extra caution especially at dusk and dawn.

“Deep snow has made it difficult for wildlife to access vegetation, leading to starvation and in some cases death,” according to a statement from Parks and Wildlife.

The shorter an animal’s legs are, the harder that animal must work to survive harsher winters.

“Pronghorn fawns are typically the first to die, then deer fawns followed by elk calves and finally adults,” Gonzales explained.

Parks and Wildlife officials say the 2007-08 winter was the toughest for wildlife during the past 20 years, followed by the winters of 2010-11 and 2016-17. Consequences to big game from this winter will not be known until April or May, but scavenger animals such as eagles and fox may be benefitting.

Parks and Wildlife officials also want to remind residents that feeding wildlife is illegal and can do more harm than good.

“Seeing animals in poor body condition or starving is hard,” Bond said. “We know people mean well when they try to help. Unfortunately, that desire to help can be more harmful. It is hard to sit back and watch, but the reality is this is nature.”

A moose stands in the middle of U.S. Highway 40 near the base of Rabbit Ears Pass on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. Wildlife encounters like this one can be more frequent in the winter months, as the animals often use plowed roads to move from one area to another. John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today Wildlife such as deer and elk have complex digestive systems that are not adapted to handle human food, hay, alfalfa or straw. Feeding wildlife also can attract predators and increase the spread of wildlife diseases, according to Parks and Wildlife.

As winter worsened in December and January, Parks and Wildlife officers observed big game animals concentrated together in river bottom areas and near roadways as well as increasing conflicts such as elk getting into livestock feed on private lands, said Mike Swaro, an assistant area wildlife manager in the Moffat County area.

Parks and Wildlife officials request that citizens do their part to help wildlife survive. When humans or dogs encounter wildlife, the animals feel threatened and often run to escape perceived danger and burn calories needed to survive. People recreating should find less busy trails, give wildlife plenty of space, always honor trail closures and keep dogs on a leash and under control.

Steamboat Springs Parks and Wildlife officials report an uptick in sightings of wildlife in residential areas and around town this winter.

“We’ve seen an increase in calls reporting wildlife in neighborhoods asking what they can do to keep them from eating their ornamental trees and shrubbery,” said Christy Bubenheim, an administrative assistant for Parks and Wildlife. “We’re encouraging people to embrace the opportunity to see wildlife, being sure to give them space.”

Bubenheim said additional fencing or wildlife repellent products such as Plantskydd may be an option to dissuade wildlife if necessary.

This story is from SteamboatPilot.com.

Don’t know how it will effect deer and elk in different areas, but spring bear will probably be a little slow to start this year.

This whole week is more rain and snow as it comes across on the Pineapple Express from Hawaii.

I've got a Mid-Utah photo/scouting look see trip planned for next week.

I've got till 4pm today to cancel my Airbnb for 100% refund as they are calling for 50%--75% rain again next week!!

More than likely Tag cuts across the board, in the Rocky Mnt. states.

Good luck, Robb

"Billy Arnold has been covering the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the people who manage it since January 2022. He previously spent two years covering Teton County government, and a year editing Scene. "

Quite the experience and background.

Watched a deer the other day - as soon as it stepped off the trail the snow was well up on it belly - it really struggled to walk.

I'm sure the timber wolves are feasting for sure.

https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/winter-taking-heavy-wildlife-toll-in-northwest-colorado/article_f9430384-bf96-11ed-8644-5b5182ff96ca.html?fbclid=IwAR0a9Q_Qx5lYSOHLlCAN2sdwLxQYVW3J4zcTpDKd0jKXGkAVEIehuotLYF0

It is a start.

On his way back he took this pic.

The whole state has very high levels of snow.

I believe the deer from about the middle of Utah, south, are fairing out just fine. A lot of winter ground down that way. Up north, not so much. Our elk in the north are suffering too.

Very much a double edged sword. We need the water. I love to snowmobile.

Guess I’d better get a few more rides in and enjoy the snow since we won’t have any deer left in some places. But our deer in Utah have been doing very poorly for about 5 years now.

Good luck. BB

This global warming sure is killing a bunch of critters. Worse winter than '49 the old timers say.

For example, in the Casper area 2019-2020 had a total of 107.2" of snowfall. So far, they have had a total of 94.7" this year. April can obviously bring some more, but it generally averages around 10". So, the Casper area is going to have a very similar snowfall year to 2019-2020. High but not necessarily a record.

The Wamsutter area is setting a new record. They've had 101" this winter. The previous high was 92.2" in 2015-2016.

The Rock Springs area is right about at their average snowfall with 37.2"

I guess my point is, it isn't all doom and gloom everywhere. The south central part of Wyoming got the worst of the snowfall. In other areas, it's been above average, but nothing excessive.