Dear editor,

A recent Cowboy State Daily story reported on the drop in Wyoming moose tags while moose tags in Colorado were increasing. It was even speculated that “Some of that drop in Wyoming tags could be attributed to Colorado growing its reputation as a moose hunting destination.”

It also reported that “From 2010 to 2014, an average of 500 moose licenses were offered to hunters in Wyoming … and during the last five years an average of 322 licenses [per year] were issued.”

While the article goes on to explain that drought and predation have played a role in the declining moose population, it doesn’t really paint the entire picture.

I opened my files from Wyoming Game and Fish, for the years 1995-2013, their yearly reports, which I obtained in 2015 through FOIA. 

This shows a much larger decline in our moose populations than the story does. Statewide:

1995: 1,251 tags; 1996: 1,236 tags; 1997: 1,212 tags; 1998: 1,213 tags; 1999: 1,286 tags; 2000: 1,390 tags; 2001: 1,396 tags; 2002: 1,382 tags; 2003: 1,180 tags; 2004: 917 tags; 2005: 786 tags; 2006: 754 tags; 2007: 759 tags; 2008: 726 tags; 2009: 591 tags; 2010: 558 tags; 2011: 539 tags; 2012: 492 tags; 2013: 493 tags.

Also, it was noted that around the park there were steeper declines in moose numbers because of wolves. How true. However, Colorado with more moose, will, tragically, see their moose numbers decline drastically, and moose hunting opportunities will dwindle like it has here because of wolves. And our moose are dealing with  more grizzly and lion depredation, too.

Eagle Creek Meadows, where once upward of 50 moose could be counted, is now bare of moose and the willows are so thick it very apparent what their loss in just that area shows.

 Cathy Selby

Wapiti