Progress Summary

Why Are We Doing This Project

The Wilson-Stilson Pathway and HWY22 cross both the Snake River riparian corridor and critical wildlife habitat. That can mean wildlife-vehicle collisions, particularly for moose. For pathways users and wildlife to safely navigate this corridor, Teton County is testing a wildlife guard as a possible solution. 

Who Will Benefit

Teton County residents, visitors, and wildlife.  

What Is The Estimated Timeline

This project was completed in 2023.

Funding And Costs

Teton County used 2019 voter-approved specific purpose excise tax (SPET) for Wildlife Crossings to fund this project.

Background Information

Wildlife guards have several advantages over double cattle guards for inhibiting ungulate (e.g., deer, moose, and elk) breaches into a fenced highway corridor:

• Double cattle guards include two concrete, box frames, constituting the sides and center of the structure. Ungulates may breach a double cattle guard by jumping half-way across the guard onto the center, concrete framing before jumping the remaining distance across the guard. Wildlife guards are a single unit without any central framing, thereby eliminating this breach possibility.
• Wildlife guards also eliminate the concrete framing on the sides of a cattle guard. While typically only 1-2 inches wide, ungulates may walk along this edge to breach the guard.
• The wings on the sides of a double cattle guard are designed to impede cattle and are not effective for ungulates. A wildlife guard has exclusionary fence tightly tied into the sides of the guard that prevents breaches along the sides.

Project Manager for Wildlife Guard Crossings

Chris Colligan

Public Works Project Manager

Teton County, Wyoming
 320 South King Street

PO Box 3594

Jackson, WY 83001

307-732-8546 (o)

307-699-1408 (m)

ccolligan@tetoncountywy.gov 

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