GREEN RIVER - Unethical antler gatherers and deer-killing dogs are taking a toll on hungry deer and elk in western Wyoming, Game and Fish Department officials said Wednesday.

Green River regional spokeswoman Lucy Wold said this past weekend the agency was inundated with phone calls on the Stop Poaching Hotline with complaints about people and dogs chasing deer and elk, particularly in the Cokeville area.

Game wardens responded to complaints of dogs chasing and killing deer and of people on snowshoes running off deer and elk to get their antlers, she said.

"Because of the severe winter conditions and our concern for the survival of local wildlife, we (want to get) the message out to people to stay away from wintering wildlife and keep their dogs away as well," Wold said.

Cokeville game warden Neil Hymas said in a release that the recent tough winter makes the harassment and destruction of wildlife even more distressing.

"Anyone who has driven through Cokeville lately can't help but notice the deer, elk and antelope moving alongside the highway in search of food," Hymas said.

"The influx of wildlife watchers has increased because these animals are so visible and close to Highway 30," he said. "The reality is these animals are starving and they can't afford to waste energy from any actions that cause them to move away from where they are trying to feed."

Hymas said it is difficult for wildlife managers to protect big game from unnecessary disturbance. He noted the current laws on harassment of wildlife pertain mainly to the use of motorized vehicles and added that Game and Fish has no specific authority to regulate antler hunting.

"Due to the competitive nature of many antler hunters, good ethics alone have not been enough motivation to get some hunters to wait until wintering animals can leave the crucial winter ranges before scouring the area," he said.

Wyoming law does allow peace officers to kill any dog in cases where big game animals have been injured or are being threatened with immediate injury by dogs.

A peace officer may also arrest or issue a summons to the owner of any dog injuring or threatening big game animals with immediate injury, unless the dog has been trained and was attempting to protect livestock.

Hymas said this is a "crucial time" for wintering big game in the region.

He said the deep snow often results in big game animals congregating in close proximity to towns and roads as they seek shelter and food. Hymas said more animals can survive if they are allowed to conserve their energy and forage undisturbed.

"The best advice is to stay away from wintering wildlife," he said.

"If you must look for antlers, then do so later on when the snows have melted and the game animals can move up to higher ground away from humans and dogs," Hymas said. "Show respect to the very animals providing recreational opportunity."

Southwest Wyoming bureau reporter Jeff Gearino can be reached at 307-875-5359 or at gearino@tribcsp.com.

Wildlife harassment

Game wardens have responded to calls involving unethical antler gatherers and deer killing dogs on the prowl in the past week. Here's a look at some of the incidents:

* On Saturday, the agency's Stop Poaching Hotline received calls from dismayed wildlife viewers near Sage Junction south of Cokeville who were observing groups of deer and elk foraging on the south-facing slopes. They watched as two men from Utah on snowshoes crossed the snow-covered slopes, causing large numbers of big game to flee into deeper snow, burning up critical energy reserves. Wardens discovered the two men had driven to Wyoming to hunt for shed antlers because the northern region in Utah was closed to the hunting of antlers to protect wintering wildlife.

* Around the same time, biologist Ron Lockwood encountered a similar situation south of Kemmerer along U.S. Highway 189. Lockwood watched as antler hunters waded through knee-deep snow to scatter deer from the slopes and draws where they were seeking shelter. Once again, the hunters explained they had come from Utah because the northern region was closed.

* On Monday, warden Neil Hymas discovered a deer that had been forced into Pine Creek, killed and fed upon by dogs that were running at large. He reported another complaint was filed by wildlife watchers who observed two sheep guard dogs attack a herd of deer and drag down a small deer in Nugget Canyon along U.S. Highway 30.

- Jeff Gearino