The Sierra Madre Range

The Sierra Madre Range. . , The historic Sierra Madre Range occupies the western-most section of the Medicine Bow National Forest. Historically, gold and copper mining, and later logging, were the big attractions to the area. But today, wildlife and related outdoor activities are the name of the game., Wildlife is the heartbeat of this land. The sight of a goshawk circling in the clear, blue mountain sky, a mule deer feeding in a high Sierra Madre meadow, or a gray Jay scolding a human intruder, can make the Wyoming landscape come to life. , We cannot fully understand this landscape until we come to know the creatures that inhabit the different habitats found in the Sierra Madre Range. Harsh alpine and subalpine zones exhibit unusual plant growth forms. As a result, specialized wildlife like the pika have adapted to the brutal weather conditions found there. Some areas, like the mountain forest and foothills shrub communities, supply needed seasonal requirements to increasing numbers of migrating and wintering wildlife. The survival of all wildlife species is interconnected to the availability of these requirements furnished by the habitat at critical times of the year., Wildlife viewing and hunting in Wyoming are privileges. If we engage in all these activities respectfully and carefully we can help to ensure Wyoming's priceless wildlife legacy will remain intact for future generations.