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CODY, Wyo. – In the spirit of shared conservation stewardship on public land, the Bureau of Land Management Cody Field Office recently collaborated with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Friends of a Legacy to modify a stretch of fence east of Cody for the benefit of migrating pronghorn.

Partners came together to replace the bottom strand of barbed wire with smooth, wildlife-friendly wire on approximately 3 miles of fence along State Highway 32 on the eastern edge of the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Herd Management Area. The bottom wire was also raised to 16” off the ground to allow pronghorn, which need space to crawl under fences, to pass easily under it.   

“Last year, thousands of pronghorn were stacked up along this fence, unable to cross,” said BLM Wildlife Biologist Destin Harrell, who organized the workday. “Thanks to the commitment of groups like FOAL, WYDOT and Game and Fish to making BLM fences more wildlife-friendly, the migrating Carter Mountain pronghorn herd now has better access to its crucial winter range and an improved chance of surviving harsh winters.”

In preparation for the workday, WYDOT got a head start on the project by rolling up barbed wire and pulling staples, which allowed for quick work stretching and tacking smooth wire when all the partners came together.

“We are happy to work with the BLM and Wyoming Game and Fish on this project that will hopefully facilitate wildlife migration through this area in as safe a manner as possible,” said WYDOT Area Supervisor Robin Nichols. “It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed being out working with the group.”

FOAL provided several volunteers for the project. “FOAL supports the preservation of wildlife migration routes, especially when allowing pronghorn to migrate through the wild horse herd management area, which extends the grazing resources for those animals who cannot migrate,” said FOAL Executive Director Marion Morrison. “This project was a win-win for BLM, FOAL, the wild horses of the McCullough Peaks and the pronghorn.”

WGFD shares the partners' concerns about human-created obstacles and hazards for the Carter Mountain pronghorn herd during winter migration.

“Game and Fish is excited to work with the BLM and WYDOT to help wildlife populations migrate to suitable habitat,” said WGFD Associate Wildlife Biologist Leslie Schreiber. “By working together, we eliminated an obstacle to open up about 100 square miles of habitat for wintering pronghorn."

The Cody Field Office has been modifying fence segments whenever possible for several years. The projects will continue as the BLM attempts to improve its fences throughout the field office area to meet wildlife specifications.

For more information, contact Harrell at 307-578-5900.