Pronghorns thrive in short and mixed grasslands and sagebrush grasslands. They prefer rolling, open, expansive terrain at elevations of 3,000 to 6,000 feet (900 to 1,800 m), with highest population densities in areas receiving an average of 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm) of precipitation annually. Vegetation heights on good pronghorn ranges average 15 inches (38 cm) with a minimum of 50% ground cover of mixed vegetation. Healthy pronghorn populations are seldom found more than 3 to 4 miles (4.8 to 6.4 km) from water. Pronghorns sometimes migrate between their summer and winter ranges. Since they seldom jump over objects more than 3 feet (90 cm) high, most fences stop them unless they can go under or through them. The construction of many highways with parallel fencing has greatly altered the migratory patterns of pronghorns. Woven wire fences, in particular, are barriers that impede pronghorn movements to water, wintering grounds, and essential forage. Proper spacing of barbed wire in fences (Fig. 3 in the online resource below) is essential to allow adequate pronghorn movement. Food Habits: Pronghorns eat a variety of plants, mostly forbs and browse. Sagebrush often makes up a large part of their diet. They are dainty feeders, plucking only the tender, green shoots. Pronghorns compete with sheep for forbs, but they are often found on summer cattle ranges where cattle eat the grasses, leaving the forbs and browse. Dietary overlap of pronghorns with sheep and cattle was 40% and 15%, respectively, in New Mexico. In the winter, pronghorns often feed in winter wheat and alfalfa fields. Resources: (online) Pronghorn

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