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 Wyoming Winds - Arlington, WY
N 41° 37.859 W 106° 17.123
13T E 392933 N 4609603
This wildlife watching sign describes the importance of strong winds on the local habitat.
Waymark Code: WMHMFA
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 07/23/2013
Views: 6
This information sign, located at the Wagonhound Rest Area, is part of "Wyoming's Wildlife--Worth the Watching" series. It describes the necessary role of Wyoming's strong winds for the survival of elk, deer and pronghorn.
This site lies at the northern-most extent of the Snowy Range Mountains, a spot where the high mountain peaks end and the winds begin. Winds here may exceed 70 miles per hour at times, blowing winter snows, leaving ridges and slopes bare, and exposing grasses and shrubs to provide food for elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope.
Elk and mule deer migrate from the high mountain summer ranges to these foothills and basins to winter. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has acquired 12,870 acres of the wind blown slopes and basins along Wagonhound Creek to protect and maintain this crucial winter range.
The exposed vegetation provides important winter forage for elk, mule deer, and antelope. These animals require both food and cover to survive the harsh winter conditions. Winter range in Wyoming is in critically short supply. If significant numbers of animals are to survive, winter range must be protected.
These winter ranges are managed to provide a balance of vegetation, including grasses and shrubs to provide forage, and conifers to provide cover from wind, sun and heat loss during cold periods.
Wind and man interact on the land to free and protect your wildlife resource. As you travel, keep in mind the Wyoming wind is a friend!
"Wyoming's Wildlife--Worth the Watching" is
funded in a large part through interest
earned from the Wildlife Trust Account.
Visit Instructions:
Take a photo of yourself (and others) at the waymark and feel free to share any additional information or that is not contained on the sign or your experience generally.
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