TPWD
Pronghorn
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Considered the fastest land mammal in North America, pronghorn are animals of the prairie, and once roamed the plains along with American bison.
In Texas, they can be found in the grasslands of the Trans-Pecos and High Plains of the Panhandle.
Conservation of the pronghorn in Texas has become an important focus due to significant population declines over the past century, largely driven by threats such as habitat fragmentation, drought, and the widespread use of fencing that restricts their natural movement. In response, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in collaboration with private landowners and research and conservation organizations, such as Borderlands Research Institute, have implemented a range of restoration efforts aimed at stabilizing and increasing pronghorn numbers.
These efforts include translocation projects—moving pronghorns from areas of healthy populations to regions where they have declined—along with habitat restoration, water development, and the installation of pronghorn-friendly fences that allows the animals to safely crawl under fencing. Monitoring and research continue to inform adaptive management strategies.
Private landowners in the Trans-Pecos and High Plains can help support conservation efforts for pronghorn through some of the following important actions...
Take action for pronghorn
An important way private landowners can help pronghorn is through modification or removal of fencing. ©Paul Crump
1. Modify and/or remove fencing
Historically, pronghorn occupied wide open grasslands without man-made barriers, such as fences. This enabled them to migrate long distances across the landscape in search of food and water, as well as escape from predators. The ability to move to areas with better conditions, especially during periods of drought, is critical to their survival.
Fences can be a barriers to pronghorn movement. Although they're considered the fastest land mammal in North America (and can jump small obstacles) they tend to resist jumping even low fences, preferring to climb between or under them instead. Pronghorn who attempt to cross restrictive barbed-wire fences can become stuck and perish.
This tendency may have played a major role in the reduction of pronghorn numbers from their historic range. Ideally, open habitat with no fences is best for pronghorn, but where fences are necessary, landowners can help through fence modification:
Make fences "pronghorn-friendly":
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According to TPWD's Pronghorn Friendly Fences guide (see link below), a 3- to 5-strand fence with the bottom strand being smooth and properly set above the ground can accommodate pronghorn passing underneath.
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Actions:
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Replace bottom strand of restrictive barbed-wire fence with smooth wire.
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Bottom wire should be at least 18 inches above the ground for at least 20 yards every half mile of fence.
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Modifications should also be placed near fence corners and in natural travel corridors.
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Remove old fences that are no longer necessary (removal of posts and stays is also essential; if not removed, pronghorn will think the fence still exists).
For more guidance regarding fence modifications see TPWD's "Pronghorn Friendly Fences" guide.
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Open grasslands are essential for fawning, as it allows them to spot predators. ©Paul Crump
2. Maintain and restore pronghorn habitat
Landowners can play a big role in helping pronghorn populations thrive, especially since they rely on large, open landscapes for survival. Here are a few ways:
Maintain open native grasslands and sagebrush ecosystems:
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Pronghorn thrive in open grasslands—areas with low-growing vegetation that allows for wide visibility. Pronghorn have excellent vision, and open areas are essential for fawning, as it allows them to spot predators. Too much brush encroachment and woody cover can lessen visibility for foraging and fawning, and also crowd out native forbs important for pronghorn forage.
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Brush management for pronghorn in Texas focuses on creating and maintaining open grasslands with scattered brush, which provides optimal habitat for these animals. Selective brush control and maintaining a mosaic of habitats—rather than complete eradication of brush—is crucial to support fawning and provide alternative brush forage during drought.
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Native forbs (e.g. wildflowers, broad-leafed weeds) are highly preferred by pronghorn, making up a majority of their diet. Forb consumption is heaviest in the fall, coinciding with the arrival of late summer and fall rains. In addition, woody plants/shrubs can become especially important to pronghorn survival when forbs are not available. Seasonally (mostly spring and summer), and during times of drought, woody species and even cacti are consumed. Although native grasses represent a small percentage of their diet, they can also be very important to pronghorn on a seasonal basis.
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Cooperate with neighbors to establish and maintain contiguous migration corridors which can greatly benefit pronghorn movement.
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If you'd like technical guidance regarding managing/restoring land for pronghorn, contact your county TPWD wildlife biologist. Find yours HERE.
©Paul Crump
Pronghorn resources:
Being able to move freely between fences helps West Texas Pronghorn recovery in west Texas. TPWD is working with local landowners to help pronghorn move more freely.