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Mule Deer Foundation Supports US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project

Mule Deer Foundation US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project

Mule Deer Foundation

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah --(Ammoland.com)- In early November the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) took decisive steps to protect wildlife, while working across state lines and collaborating with state agencies and other groups.

MDF has ranked the US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project as a top priority for receiving funds from the Arizona Special Big Game License Program for Mule Deer.

MDF has committed funds from this Program – $25,000 per year, for the next four years – to help pay for materials and installation of fencing and wildlife crossings on US-89 between the Arizona border to Kanab, Utah.

The Paunsaugunt deer herd, one of the premier mule deer herds in the Southwest, summers in Utah and winters in northern Arizona on the renowned Arizona Strip deer herd unit. The herd must cross US-89 twice each year during the spring and fall migration, and a significant number of deer are killed by vehicle collisions.

Good solutions for the long stretch of highway seemed impractical. However, a recent review of accident data showed that constructing fencing along an 11.5 mile section would be a major help to reducing accidents.

The goal of the US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project is to provide safe passage for mule deer and improve safety for motorists and wildlife on Highway 89. The plan is to fence the highest accident area, between MP 36.8 to 48.2. The ends of the fencing will tie into existing large bridges at each end, where animals can cross under the highway. Because of the limited distance deer are willing to travel to look for crossing opportunities, four wildlife passages will also be constructed.

MDF President and CEO Miles Moretti commented, “What’s unusual, and also special, about this project is that MDF volunteers and Utah dedicated hunters will help build escape ramps for deer that might still end up on the highway. These efforts will help save more deer, as well as $150,000 in construction costs.”

MDF is partnering on this $2.4 million endeavor with state agencies and other conservation groups. The Utah Dept. of Transportation has allotted Enhancement Funding dollars from both federal and state funds. Additional monies include up to $50,000 from Utah’s Conservation Permit Program and $15,000 per year for the first two years through the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Big Game Donation funds.

Ground work should begin on the US-89 Paunsaugunt Deer Crossing Project next year. Contact: Marty Holmes Tel.: 719-221-0732 E-mail: marty@muledeer.org

About MDF:
The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.

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South Dakota GFP Asks Hunters and Landowners to Report Any Deer Found Dead

South Dakota Fish, Game & Parks

PIERRE, S.D. --(Ammoland.com)- The state Game, Fish and Parks Department has documented a few white-tailed deer found dead across South Dakota, and early reports point to epizootic hemorrhagic disease or EHD, which commonly affects white-tailed deer in the fall.

“This is the time of year when we receive these reports, and it is hard to tell the extent of the impact at this time,” said Steve Griffin, a GFP wildlife biologist. “The virus is carried by a biting midge, which can remain prevalent until a hard freeze kills the midges.”

Department staff are collecting samples from some of the dead deer, and the samples are being sent to the diagnostics lab at South Dakota State University, Griffin said.

GFP is currently assessing the status of EHD in the South Dakota deer herd, he said.

“We have confirmed the disease in central South Dakota, and the symptoms that our local conservation officers and field staff are describing sound much like EHD,” Griffin said. “Although the extent of the disease is unknown at this time, it appears that the primary counties affected are Sully, Hughes, Stanley, Jones, Lyman, and Tripp. With the hard freezes last week, the disease vector was likely eliminated. However, we may still see deer dying that were infected prior to the frost.”

The virus that causes EHD gives deer a high fever, and they will appear to be in a daze. If the disease hits them hard, they can die in 1-3 days. The dead deer are often found near low-lying areas or in areas where they can cool off in a river or pond. They are usually too weak to leave those wet areas, and die there.

EHD outbreaks can be locally severe, but rarely affect more than 25 percent of a deer population. In rare cases, up to 50 percent of deer may be stricken.

Those who see deer that appear dazed, or find a number of dead deer, are asked to contact local conservation officers or call the Pierre GFP office at 605-773-3718.

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