December 2023 - 41

Deer aren't the only ones crossing at Dry
Piney, though. Pronghorn also winter in the
area and frequently cross the road for more
access to winter range. Since pronghorn rely
heavily on their excellent eyesight as a defense,
they prefer to use an overpass which affords
them better visibility. However, wildlife managers
have learned pronghorn will occasionally
use an underpass. Given that, crews installed a
newly designed, broader arch structure underpass
that offers increased visibility at a point
of high pronghorn use.
" The Dry Piney project has drawn
national attention to our state's dedication
to support wildlife conservation
and has opened the door to a
national conversation about future
federal funding opportunities and
the importance of big game movement. "
- Angi Bruce
Wildlife managers have learned it may
take wildlife a year to figure out the new
fences and underpasses. As they learn the
new crossing, animals may occasionally get
into the road right-of-way by accident. To
prevent the high fences from trapping animals
in the right-of-way with the highway,
elevated jump-outs were installed throughout
the project. These structures allow animals to
jump out and away from the highway, but a
vertical wall on the one side prevents them
from jumping back into the right-of-way.
The completion of this $15.1 million
project is a substantial milestone for wildlife
crossings in Wyoming. It is the first major
wildlife crossing project in the country to be
supported by a $14.5 million federal Better
Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development
- or BUILD - grant.
" The collective leadership our state has
displayed in protecting migration has not
only benefited wildlife, but saved motorists
as well, " said Game and Fish Deputy Director
Angi Bruce. " The Dry Piney project has
drawn national attention to our state's dedication
to support wildlife conservation and has
opened the door to a national conversation
about future federal funding opportunities
and the importance of big game movement. "
The remaining cost of the project was
supported by the Wyoming Game and Fish
Commission, the Wyoming Transportation
Trail camera footage shows mule deer frequent the area around the Dry Piney Wildlife Crossing Project in southwest
Wyoming. (Photo courtesy of WYDOT)
Commission and other supporters, including
conservation organizations, private donors
and landowners.
The Mule Deer Foundation was the first
nonprofit to contribute funds to the Dry
Piney project.
" MDF recognized the importance and
urgency of the Dry Piney Wildlife Crossing
Project from the start and we were eager to
support this project, " said MDF President
and CEO Joel Pedersen. " MDF and Game
and Fish have a long partnership for the conservation
of mule deer in Wyoming and the
migrations and movement issues associated
with the storied Wyoming Range herd. This
project will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions
and ensure that connectivity between habitats
remains available. Wyoming has been at the
forefront of connectivity issues and MDF is
proud to support and partner on this project,
as it is critical to our mission. "
During her remarks at the ribbon-cutting
ceremony at Dry Piney, Bruce said it is her
hope that in the future, incorporating wildlife
crossing projects will become standard
practice in highway planning.
Wyoming Wildlife | 41

December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2023