Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
White-tailed deer and the large-eared mule deer, as well as pronghorn antelope, can
be found throughout the region and are as often seen on the sides of highways as they are
in the wild. Bighorn sheep are impressive, stocky animals. The rams (males) are known
for their massive curled horns, which give the rugged creatures their distinctive look. Large
herds of bighorn sheep can be found in and around Yellowstone—near the north entrance
of the park and around Big Sky, Montana, in particular—and Wyoming's Whiskey Basin
Habitat Area near Dubois.
Mountain goats inhabit many of the high peaks of Montana and Wyoming and can often
be seen clinging to impossibly steep sides of rocky cliffs. The high country is also home to
the smallish pika and the larger, fuzzier yellow-bellied marmot. Both can be spotted run-
ning along rocky outcrops and scree fields at higher elevations.
Some of the largest animals you'll encounter are moose, which typically inhabit river
bottoms, wetlands, and willowed areas and graze on grasses, brush, and leaves. Moose can
surprise you on the trail, as they are typically quiet and private creatures. Their docile nature
can quickly turn deadly if they charge; give them plenty of room, especially if you en-
counter a female with young.
Both states have numerous species of birds, including raptors. Attentive visitors can ex-
pect to see bald and golden eagles, ospreys, hawks, falcons, owls, woodpeckers, grouse,
herons, pelicans, and more. Smaller species include jays, mountain bluebirds, warblers,
western tanagers, and magpies. The Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in south-
western Montana is home to the one of the largest habitats of the majestic trumpeter swan.
For information on the excellent birding opportunities, visit www.audobonwyoming.org or
www.mtaudobon.org .
The region is also home to a large herd of wild horses, located in the Pryor Mountains
south of Billings along the Montana-Wyoming border. One of just 10 herds left in the coun-
try, many of the Pryor Mountain horses have primitive striping on their backs, withers, and
legs; they are thought to be descendants of colonial Spanish horses. In 1968, interested indi-
viduals and groups convinced the government to set aside 31,000 acres in the Pryor Moun-
tains as a public range for the wild horses, which had been living there for more than a
century. The Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center in Lovell, Wyoming, houses a museum
where visitors can learn about the history, behavior, and life of the animals. The center can
also direct visitors on where and how to catch a glimpse of these beautiful creatures running
free in the wild.
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