Wyoming Winter Range Update: Things Are Looking Great!

 

We get a lot of questions about “how are the deer doing?”, this time of year from folks already making plans for their 2027 hunting season in Wyoming. While the worst of winter 2026 is likely ahead of us, especially the spring storms, so far this winter has been quite mild by Wyoming standards and the mule deer are faring very well. Fat percentages are high, food is abundant and the snowfall has been virtually nonexistent. With the deer being very healthy at this point it is highly likely that the herds will finish winter strong and begin their spring migrations in excellent health. That said, we could use a bit of precipitation, especially in the high country, so that summer and fall groceries are lush and abundant. 

However, don’t just take my word for it… below is a correspondence from now-retired WYGFD biologist Gary Fralick. Mr. Fralick likely knows more about Wyoming mule deer, especially the deer on the historic western winter ranges, than any man alive and he has been a go to source for winter range updates and information for years. 

 

Good Afternoon, 

A few of you have contacted me regarding winter conditions and how the Wyoming Range deer herd is doing so far this winter, so I thought I would send an email advising you that things so far are looking great on the winter ranges regarding the general absence of severe weather and almost non-existent snow accumulations so far.  November and December 2025 were basically open and snow-free on the core winter ranges, especially around Big Piney and LaBarge. 

Also, things are progressing very well for that segment of the Greys River mule deer population that spends the winter on the Big Piney/LaBarge winter ranges, despite the population being well below the population objective. The current winter has been relatively snow-free with mild temperatures on the large sagebrush-dominated winter ranges.  

I conducted the annual mule deer herd composition surveys from a helicopter in early December 2025 (before my retirement) on the LaBarge winter ranges where a major segment of the Greys River deer herd spends the winter.  The buck and fawn ratios were exceptional again, and not too surprising considering the mild open winters we’ve had since the extreme winter mortality observed 2022-23. winter.  The buck:doe ratio was 47 bucks:100 does and the doe:fawn ratio was 86 fawns:100 does in December 2025!  

I appreciate all of your support and interest in the Wyoming Range mule deer herd.  I intend to keep involved and informed of wildlife management issues even though I retired on January 2, 2026. Please do not let my retirement deter you from reaching out and keeping in touch.  Wildlife, especially big game management needs your constant interest and review. 

Respectfully,

Gary L. Fralick

Wildlife Biologist (retired)