We, the undersigned, write with concern regarding a proposed bike trail system development immediately adjacent to the Sublette Mule Deer Herd’s Fremont Lake Bottleneck. The details of this proposal remain limited, but we have serious concerns about the placement and scale of development within this critical migration corridor. We are also concerned about the lack of transparency the agency has shown toward the public during this process.

The Wyoming Mule Deer Alliance is a grassroots group that advocates on behalf of mule deer and mule deer hunters to promote science-based wildlife management and sustain public support for mule deer hunting opportunities.

The iconic Sublette Mule Deer herd currently numbers just over 20,000 animals — nearly 30% below population objective and significantly reduced from historic levels. This herd also exhibits the longest documented summer-to-winter migration of any ungulate in the Lower 48 states. Considerable time, effort, and millions of dollars have been invested in conserving this herd and protecting its migration corridor.

Of particular concern within this migration route are bottlenecks near the Finger Lakes along the Wind River Front, where terrain naturally narrows the pathway used by thousands of migrating deer. The proposed bike trail system appears to include extensive trail routes, parking areas, recreational infrastructure, and increased capacity for human activity that could threaten the functionality of this corridor.

While recreational opportunities are important, we believe there are numerous alternative locations for trail development that would better accommodate recreation while protecting wildlife. Mule deer cannot adapt to development pressures in the same way that recreational uses can be relocated.

As sportsmen and women, we respectfully urge the Bureau of Land Management to:

Carefully consider the potential impacts this proposed development may have on the Sublette Mule Deer herd.
Initiate a transparent, public-facing process to solicit input and feedback from the local community and stakeholders regarding this proposal.

These steps are essential to maintaining healthy habitat conditions and supporting the long-term productivity of native mule deer populations, consistent with the Pinedale Field Office Resource Management Plan and Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3362.

We respectfully ask the Bureau of Land Management to protect this critical migration corridor and ensure the public has a voice in decisions that affect it.

signed,

Sportsman and concerned citizens who deeply care for this iconic mule deer herd.