Path of the Pronghorn

Pronghorn Migration Corridors

Each spring and fall, thousands of pronghorn move up and down the Upper Green River Valley and cross at Trapper's Point following the melting snow and spring green-up and moving south when snow falls. Wildlife researchers have documented that approximately 300 pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) travel from the Red Desert region south of Pinedale to as far north as summer range in Grand Teton National Park, one of the longest large mammal migration corridors remaining in North America. Many animals use winter range on the Pinedale Anticline in Sublette County. Archaeological from a pronghorn kill site near Trapper's Point shows that pronghorn used this path, now being called the “Path of the Pronghorn”, as long ago as at least 6,000 years. Wildlife Conservation Society scientists have been studying the Path of the Pronghorn since 2003 using field research and GIS analysis. The continuity of the Path of the Pronghorn migration corridor is threatened by the building of new subdivisions in rural areas, new roads, more fences, increased people and dog activity, and energy industry development. These activities threaten to cut off one of the western U.S.’ iconic species ability to move freely up and down the Green River Valley and block the ability of herds to reach summer range at the northern end of the Upper Green River Valley and over into Grand Teton National Park.

Viewing migrating wildlife today without disturbing the animals

The new Path of the Pronghorn interpretive site on U.S. 191 has an accessible, fixed binocular to view the wildlife overpass from a distance that does not disturb migrating animals. This interpretive site, and the overpass webcam, are the preferred observation points for the Trapper's Point crossing. The BLM has designated the area around Trapper's Point as an "Area of Critical Environmental Concern" (ACEC). The land at Trapper's Point is closed to vehicles from November 15 to April 30 to ensure no obstruction to the big game migration bottleneck within the Trapper’s Point ACEC occurs, to facilitate livestock trailing and gathering, and to provide interpretation of cultural sites for the public. Human and dog presence is discouraged in the area during the spring and fall migration because it inhibits wildlife from moving through freely. Wildlife researchers appreciate people not disrupting the movement patterns of the wildlife. People can view the pronghorn and deer migration all along the East Green River Road from Trapper's Point south to Highway 351 and along the Cora Highway 352 north to Green River Lakes. It is best to stay in your vehicle and not get out if you are near the wildlife. They tolerate slow moving vehicles much better than seeing a person or dog out alone. If driving slowly to watch wildlife, please do not hinder other traffic along the roadways. If you wish to stop, find a pull out off the road so other traffic can get by you. Photography is best done by staying in your vehicle or well away from the animals so they don't notice you and using a telephoto lens.

Please do not disturb the

wildlife

The preferred method of viewing the wildlife moving across the Trapper’s Point wildlife overpass is via the webcam or using the scope at the Path of the Pronghorn Interpretive site on U.S. 191. WCS Path of the Pronghorn Project Partners Many people worked together to help WCS on the Trappers Point Path of the Pronghorn project including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Water for Wildlife, National Parks Conservation Association, Wyoming Department of Transportation, Pinedale Travel and Tourism Commission, Upper Green River Alliance, Grand Teton National Park, Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Green River Valley Land Trust, Bureau of Land Management, and Wyoming Office of Tourism. For more information about this camera and the Path of the Pronghorn research projects, please visit the Wildlife Conservation Society website: