The first weeks of December saw light snowfall with an increase in precipitation over the last week coupled with some cold temperatures. Elk, deer, and antelope have been seen in large groups in response to cold temperatures and moderate snowfall in late December.
Sand Creek, Hamer
Snow depth is 4-6 inches with minimal crusting. Animals are moving freely on winter ranges.
Swan Valley
Snow depth is 6-8 inches on the valley floor with minimal crusting. South facing slopes are at 4-6 inches. Animals are moving freely on winter ranges.
Teton Basin
Valley floor has 8-10 inches of snow with minimal crusting. South facing slopes are at 6-8 inches. Animals are moving freely on winter ranges.
Big Desert, INL
Snow depth is 2-4 inches on valley floor with minimal crusting observed. Animals are moving freely on winter ranges.
Birch Creek
Snow depth is 3-5 inches on the valley floor. South facing slopes are at 2-4 inches with minimal crusting. Animals are moving freely on winter ranges.
Big and Little Lost Rivers
Snow depth is 4-8 inches on the valley floor with minimal crusting. South facing slopes are at 2-4 inches. Animals are moving freely on winter ranges.
Tex Creek
Snow depth is 6-8 inches with 4-6 inches on the south facing slopes. Minimal crusting observed. Animals are moving freely on winter ranges.
Big game depredations and winter feeding update:
Recent winter storms and colder temperatures resulted in an increase in haystack depredations throughout the region. Depredations are light to moderate throughout the region. Due to the recent fire on the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area, an emergency winter feeding order was implemented and feeding operations started Dec. 8 on the wildlife management area.
Currently department personnel are feeding approximately 2,500 big game animals due to lack of suitable forage lost in the fire. All roads into the Tex Creek WMA have been closed this year due to feeding operations and the prevention of causing added stress to the animals.