At the meeting, Game and Fish Director Scott Talbott said, “We are at a point where it’s time for us to strengthen our commitment to mule deer in the Platte Valley. And we’ve asked the Game and Fish Commission to set aside $500,000 in seed money for the establishment of the Platte Valley Habitat Partnership.”

 

Talbott said this is something that has not been attempted in Wyoming in the past. “While this is plowing new ground we’re excited about the opportunity that we hope can actually effect a change in habitat for mule deer in the Platte Valley,” Talbott said.

 

In announcing the plan to the public,the department will focus on developing habitat partnerships among the Game and Fish, private landowners, land management agencies, and conservation groups. It is anticipated that the$500,000 the commission has provided will trigger matching grants to multiply the fund many times to develop habitat projects.

 

The draft Platte Valley Mule Deer Management plan is available on the Game and Fish website. Click on Wildlife and Habitat, then Mule Deer Initiative, then on Platte Valley Initiative.