Wild Migrations: Atlas of Wyoming's Ungulates

by Matthew J. Kauffman, James E. Meacham, Hall Sawyer

Wild Atlas of Wyoming’s Ungulates tells the story of the long-distance migrations that elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, bison, and mountain goats make each spring and fall across the landscapes of the American West. This book is the definitive synthesis of these epic journeys as seen through the eyes of the biologists and wildlife managers who have studied the ungulates, or hoofed mammals, of Wyoming.

A century and a half ago, the push of western expansion persecuted these great herds, and some were lost. In the early twentieth century, a new ethic of wildlife conservation helped big game populations recover as the West was settled. Today many of these herds again roam Wyoming’s mountains and plains. Now for the first time, scientists armed with new satellite technology are discovering and describing ungulate migrations in detail never seen before.

Each spread in this full color book investigates an ecological, historical, or conservation aspect of migration through clear and compelling maps, graphics, and photos. Using a narrative style that is both accessible and scientifically rigorous, this atlas tells the nuanced story of wildlife migration, the scientists who are studying it, and the conservationists who are working to keep wild migrations flowing across western landscapes. Wild Migrations is the perfect library addition for any reader interested in wildlife and landscapes of the American West, including hunters, students, biologists, land managers, decision-makers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Genres: Natural History

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 2018

Reviews

[Alethea Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 28, 2019—I-80 has become a killing field. Outside of Green River lies a dead hawk in the median, striped tail feathers fluttering in the breeze. The death toll mounts near Evanston: many mule deer carcasses line the roadside, and the pronghorn count continues to rise from the Lyman exit westward. Especially near the Bear River exit, many antelope apparently tried to follow the plowed pavement to cross the interstate. Many failed. Speeding past in a vehicle at 75 miles an hour, it becomes difficult to differentiate all the brown bodies, to tell one species from another, but I could swear I also saw one coyote and one mountain lion lying lifeless beside the road. The snow is mostly still deep along the fences, but in one cleared patch there was a bunch of pronghorn, excellent runners but not good jumpers, bunching up against the wire and looking at each other while apparently trying to decide what to do next. Wild Migrations: Atlas of Wyoming’s Ungulates details the yearslong effort to map and document the movements of the last of the nation’s migrating wild herds. Wyoming is lucky in being one of the final mostly open landscapes, but housing developments, roads, oil and gas infrastructure, and even backcountry skiers along with other human disturbances, threaten to choke off the remaining segments of paths first documented as the transcontinental railroad sliced the unimaginably huge bison herd into north and south groups before people almost succeeded in exterminating them completely. There are several groups working to conserve the migration corridors, take down impassable fencing, as well as build tunnels and overpasses at key pavement points. For those interested—as all of us who live here should be—in the background, history, science, and some rays of hope for conserving Wyoming’s wild populations, this book is highly recommended.

[Allison Henle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really know how to rate a book like this. It's very clear? The photos are lovely? I have absolutely background in biology or conservation, yet I found it quite accessible.

[Aaron Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this all yet, but what an amazing book. Very informative, excellent design and layouts, and so much science, research, and data. Wow.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wyoming Migration Initiative that spawned this book has been getting press recently on some of their findings regarding the amazing migration of deer. Looking forward to reading this one...