Pronghorn don't jump

austinjames

I watched a group of about 30 pronghorn cross under this fence near Walsenburg Colorado, I later learned pronghorn don't jump fences which is one of the reasons their habitat is threatened and need wide open spaces. They obviously are learning to adapt here...fun to watch them line up and go under
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JohnDC

Thanks for sharing this photo, Austin. They look like they could sail over the fence like gazelles--or deer. There's a program on the Carrizo Plain (here in California) to raise the lowest strand of barbed wire so the pronghorns can more easily crawl under without letting the cattle through. Is the criss-crossed fence in your photo for sheep? This kind of fence makes it even harder for the pronghorns--I'm surprised they can get through at all. --- John

austinjames

There was a bit of a low spot (ravine) where they were crossing...it was a pretty well traveled path you could tell. I have never seen sheep in that area so I am not sure why that kind of fence...only very few cattle.
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pathfinder

That is why you generally do not see pronghorns in farmed areas with fenced fields, like Kansas or Oklahoma. Pronghorns are not deer, but more like a goat, and goats don't jump.

I have photographed pronghorns in Kansas, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, and the Dakotas, but they get very rare as fences go up as you head east. They really prefer/need open spaces.

"Pronghorn- A Portrait of the American Antelope" by Gary Turbak, with photos by Alan and Sandy Carey is a lovely book about pronghorns, with interesting details. For example, pronghorn eyes are larger than the eyes of a horse or an ox, even though the pronghorn is much less than 1/4 the weight of a horse.


I always have a good day when I can see them running free as I drive along.

WyomingBob

Hi Austin, Nice photo's. While antelope don't like to jump fences if you spend enough time watching you will see them jump. I posted a few pictures of jumping wildlife on another post.
Bob

austinjames

Thanks Bob for the info...found you post and you are indeed right; I guess some Pronghorn do jump : )