In Wyoming, pronghorn aren’t just another critter on the landscape — they’re part of who we are. Every fall, hunters head out on crisp mornings, chasing speed goats across the sage and swapping stories that tie generations together. For many of us, watching a band of pronghorn skim the prairie is as much a Wyoming tradition as branding calves or the county fair. These animals are woven into our state’s identity and our way of life.
That’s why the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s September 10 vote matters so much. On the very morning rifle season opened for many Sublette units, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend that Governor Gordon designate all ten segments of the Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor. This isn’t just paperwork. It’s a commitment to keeping alive the longest pronghorn migration in the world, stretching 165 miles from Grand Teton National Park to the Red Desert. And this decision rests on one of the most data-rich wildlife studies in North America, including two decades of research and GPS collar studies involving hundreds of animals. That’s a lot of solid Wyoming science.
This decision also reflects the voices of hunters across Wyoming who showed up and spoke out, reminding the Commission that keeping the Sublette pronghorn migration intact isn’t just about science, it’s about defending our way of life.
Here’s the thing: Wyoming’s pronghorn have declined by 40% over the last few decades. Poorly planned development, roads, and fences fragment habitat; while harsh winters, disease, invasive annual grasses, and feral horses make life even more challenging for these animals. Designation under Wyoming’s Migration Corridor Executive Order gives us the chance to change that — safeguarding the most sensitive bottlenecks and stopovers while still allowing development and grazing to continue. Private land and existing rights remain untouched.
Now the Commission’s recommendation heads to Governor Gordon, who will appoint a local working group to roll up their sleeves and sort through the details. And that’s the Wyoming Way: not shouting matches or one-size-fits-all rules, but neighbors around a table, working together to find solutions that honor both wildlife and people. The Migration Corridor Executive Order, first signed by Governor Gordon in 2020, is Wyoming’s own groundbreaking approach to conservation — flexible, collaborative, and rooted in common sense.
Today, we tip our hats to the Commission for listening to hunters and everyday Wyomingites, and for stepping up to recommend the designation of all ten segments of this migration corridor. The hard work lies ahead, but it’s the kind of work we’re built for. Together, we can keep these herds moving free, keep our hunting traditions strong, and keep Wyoming wild for generations to come.
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