PRESS RELEASES

11-07-08

GAME AND FISH SEEKS INFORMATION ON ELK POACHING NEAR LARAMIE

LARAMIE— One six-point bull and one cow elk were poached during the morning hours of Oct. 20, 2008, on the Y Cross Ranch just north of the Pole Mountain area of the Medicine Bow National Forest in the vicinity of Pilot Hill. This incident took place in elk hunt area 6.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department North Laramie game warden Roger Bredehoft, who is investigating this case, says, “This kind of activity, likely committed by one to a few individuals, gives all hunters and the sport of hunting a bad name. Since this case also involves trespass it will make getting access to private lands for law abiding hunters that much more difficult.”

Bredehoft is asking anyone with any information on this case to call him at (307) 745-4402 or the Laramie Regional Office at (307) 745-4046. Information can also be reported by calling the Stop Poaching Hotline at (877) WGFD-TIP (877-943-3847) or reported online at http://gf.state.wy.us. Those with information may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if the tip leads to a conviction. The Wyoming Wildlife Protectors Association makes this reward money possible. Rewards may be collected anonymously. (Contact: Bob Lanka (307) 745-4046)

10-17-08

STOP POACHING REPORTS INTEGRAL TO SOLVING OREGON BASIN ANTELOPE POACHING

CODY— Thanks to the vigilance and concern expressed for Wyoming's wildlife by two Cody residents, the perpetrators involved in the June 14, 2008, killing of a mature buck antelope have been apprehended and convicted.

James C. Boomer and Daniel W. Rezac were charged and convicted of knowingly taking a horned antelope without a license and during a closed season. Boomer pleaded no contest; Rezac pleaded guilty to the charges. Both men reside in Park County.

An initial Stop Poaching report was made on June14, 2008, by a local Cody resident. The report stated that a dead buck antelope had been found along the YU Bench Road and it appeared that the buck had been killed earlier that same day. The subsequent investigation proved this to be true.

"When we began our investigation it was evident that the antelope had been shot multiple times with a small caliber firearm," said Wyoming Game and Fish Department's South Cody game warden Tim Fagan. Wardens recovered .22-caliber bullets from the carcass and found .22-caliber casings at the scene.
The following day the Game and Fish announced that it was offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the poachers. The result of this appeal through the local media led to a second Stop Poaching report providing officers with information to narrow the investigation to two subjects.
"We initially stated that we would aggressively pursue this case and we did. At the height of the investigation, six game wardens, the Park County Sheriff's office and the Cody Police Department were involved," Fagan said. "Search warrants were served, evidence was confiscated and the two men were arrested."

Fagan noted public involvement was integral to solving this case— he commended Park County residents. "The vigilance and concern expressed by the people in Park County continues to demonstrate how committed they are to our wildlife resource and we want to thank them for their commitment," Fagan added.
On Sept. 3, 2008, Circuit Court Judge Bruce B. Waters, Fifth Judicial District, Park County, sentenced Boomer to incarceration in the Park County Detention Center for a period of 200 days with credit for 70 days served. He was fined $5,000 and assessed $30 court costs. He further ordered Boomer to pay restitution (the dollar value of an animal to the state) jointly with Rezac in the amount of $3,000. The judge suspended the 120 days of incarceration and placed Boomer on unsupervised probation for a period of one year. Boomer's hunting and fishing privileges were suspended for six years.

On Sept. 10, 2008, Judge Waters ordered Rezac be incarcerated for 120 days with credit for one day served. He was fined $5,000 and assessed $30 court costs. Waters further ordered that 98 days of his incarceration be suspended with 21 days left to serve. The defendant was placed on unsupervised probation for a period of one year. Rezac had his hunting and fishing privileges suspended for five years and was ordered to forfeit a .22-caliber handgun to the Game and Fish.

Fagan also stated that an individual who loses his or her privileges to hunt in Wyoming actually loses them in 29 states, all of which are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. The compact includes a reciprocal recognition of license suspension.

"Any person whose license privileges are suspended in Wyoming would also be suspended in the member states of Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Missouri, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Iowa, Indiana, California, Georgia, South Dakota, Michigan, Kansas, New York, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Wisconsin and Kentucky," Fagan said.

Anyone observing or suspecting a wildlife violation can report it and remain completely anonymous by calling (877) WGFD-TIP. Wildlife violations may be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

June 13, 2008
AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES THREATEN WYOMING FISHERIES

CHEYENNE—One of the biggest challenges faced by Wyoming fisheries managers is trying to maintain good fisheries in the face of changing times compounded by drought, disease, and aquatic nuisance species.

For years, much of the challenge was to keep the wild fisheries going, stock those fisheries that needed it and improve the habitat where possible. These tools are still of utmost importance, but fisheries management has been made much more difficult in recent years through illegal or sometimes inadvertent establishment of aquatic species that pose a threat to the health of Wyoming’s fisheries.

Oftentimes the spread of invasive species is purely unintentional. Unwanted introductions can be unknowingly spread by anglers and boaters going from an affected water to one that is clean. Prevention may not be as simple as anglers cleaning mud or plants off boats or equipment and then assuming nothing can be spread. Some of the invaders such as zebra mussels can be seen, while others such as the whirling disease parasite, are microscopic.

One of the biggest concerns has been the spread of whirling disease. This disease is spread by spores and the disease primarily affects trout through a microscopic parasite that attacks the soft cartilage of young fish. Affected fish may display a whirling behavior, have skeletal deformities or die. Whirling disease has impacted populations of rainbow trout in a few waters in neighboring states. Parts of fish or mud on waders transported from water to water can spread disease-causing-spores to previously unaffected areas.

Another particularly harmful species is the New Zealand mud snail. This 1/8-inch exotic was first found in the Snake River in Idaho in 1987 and has since spread to some Yellowstone National Park waters and waters in surrounding states. These snails have the ability to literally choke off the traditional food supply that trout depend on. New Zealand mud snails multiply very rapidly and can achieve densities of more than 500 thousand snails per square meter and can severely impact natural trout foods such as mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies. In its native New Zealand, there is a trematode parasite that sterilizes many snails keeping their reproduction to a manageable size, but there are no such parasites or predators in U.S. waters. Fish do not generally utilize the snails as food, so there is no natural system to keep their numbers in check.

Other potential invasive species that have not yet become a problem in Wyoming, but have cropped up in several surrounding states, include quagga and zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Quagga and zebra mussels have caused many problems in eastern and upper mid-western states where they have clogged water treatment facilities and irrigation systems. These 1-2 inch size Eurasian clam-like mollusks grow in clusters containing many individuals and have the ability to firmly attach themselves to rocks, boat hulls and other structures. From a fisheries standpoint, they can displace traditional fish foods and also filter large amounts of plankton and nutrients from the water that are staples for nourishment of many species of young game fish and forage fish species. In Lake Ontario, the lake trout population has declined by 95 percent in the past 10 years due to disruption of the food chain caused by exotic mussels.

Eurasion watermilfoil is not found in Wyoming, but has been found in several waters in neighboring Utah. This aquatic plant forms thick stands of tangled stems and surface mats. It can hinder activities such as boating, swimming and fishing and can crowd out important native plants.

Another exotic, the rusty crayfish, was eliminated from Wyoming by the Game and Fish after it was illegally introduced into a water near Douglas by a Colorado company. According to the Game and Fish this potentially harmful introduction was discovered before it could spread to the North Platte River system. The Game and Fish spent $35,000 on treating the affected water and the company responsible for the introduction was fined $100,000.

Fisheries management coordinator Dirk Miller said the Game and Fish was very lucky to be able to remove the rusty crawfish. “Most invasive species introductions are irreversible and can permanently and negatively change the entire ecosystem,” Miller said. “The best thing we can do is keep them out. With the mobility of boaters and anglers the chance of accidentally moving undesirable species around is very high.”

Miller said the Game and Fish encourages everyone to do their part to protect the aquatic resources that belong to everyone.

According to regional Fisheries supervisor Al Conder, Wyoming waters are very suited for many of the invaders and department officials will be keeping a watch to try to contain diseases and unwanted species that are present and prevent occurrence of others in Wyoming.

Much of this prevention will need to come from support of boaters and anglers to keep disease and unwanted species from spreading from water to water. The Game and Fish recommends the following precautions every time anglers and boaters come in contact with a body of water.
• Remove any visible mud, and plants from waders or boots or other equipment before transporting.
• Drain all water from the motor, bilge, live well, etc. before transporting.
• Clean and dry anything that came in contact with water (boats, trailers, waders, float tubes, equipment, clothing, dogs, etc.)
• Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water.

To help prevent the spread of whirling disease, the following additional procedures are recommended:
• Disinfect equipment at home with a solution of ¾ cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water to kill the parasite.
• Don’t dispose of fish heads, skeletons or entrails into any water body. Fish parts should be disposed of in the garbage or by burning.

Additional information on prevention of transport of nuisance species can be found in the Wyoming Fishing regulations pamphlet or on line at www.ProtectYourWaters.net .

May 12, 2008
BLACK BEAR HUNTERS REMINDED OF REGULATIONS

JACKSON--With the rifle seasons for black bear hunting getting underway across Wyoming, Game and Fish officials are reminding hunters to pay close attention to the regulations. 

With the results of three separate fall black bear hunting cases fresh on officers’ minds, they are hoping spring bear hunters don’t make similar mistakes.  All three cases involved black bears being illegally taken during the fall of 2007 after the designated hunt area had closed and/or without a license. 

On Oct.1, 2007, Kade Statham, of Afton, registered a black bear with Afton game warden Todd Graham, stating he had harvested the bear in hunt area 19, near the Big Sandy River that morning.  Further investigation revealed Statham did not have a license and had shot the bear  Sept. 30, in hunt area 30, east of Thayne, a considerable distance from hunt area 19.

On Nov. 7, 2007, Statham pleaded guilty to taking a black bear without a license.  Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Frank Zebre sentenced Statham to pay a fine of $1,000, serve one-year probation, and suspended all of Statham’s Wyoming Game and Fish license privileges for three years. 
In addition, Statham posted $210 bond for making a false statement on the Black Bear Mortality Record.  Statham’s hunting companion, Matthew McMurdo, also of Afton, posted $410 bond for accessory to taking a black bear without a license.

In the second case, an anonymous report was received on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s “Stop Poaching” hotline on Oct. 23, 2007, regarding another possible illegal shooting of a black bear in hunt area 30.  A cooperative investigation was initiated involving game warden Todd Graham, Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Investigator Troy Achterhof and Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Investigator Eric Crawford.  The investigation found that Jason Hartley of Rigby, Idaho, had illegally killed a black bear on Oct. 15, 2007, well after the season had closed on Sept. 30, 2007. 

On Feb. 6, 2008, Hartley pleaded guilty to taking a black bear during a closed season, failing to register a black bear harvest and failing to tag a trophy game animal.  Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Frank Zebre sentenced Hartley to pay $5,830 in fines, court costs and restitution.  In addition, Hartley was also sentenced to two years probation and had all Wyoming Game and Fish license privileges suspended for three years.

 “I would like commend assistant Lincoln County attorney Joe Cole for his effort in successfully prosecuting both of these cases,” said  Graham.  “His commitment to protecting the wildlife resource is greatly appreciated and should be recognized by all sportsmen.”
On September 14, 2007, Charles Rothermel of Lyon Station, PA, registered a black bear with Cokeville game warden Neil Hymas, stating it had been harvested in hunt area 11, in the Commissary Range, while hunting elk with Shane Clark of Bugle Basin Outfitters in Afton.

An investigation by officer Hymas revealed that, although the hunting season was open, Rothermel had not purchased his license until the day after the bear had been taken.  The black bear hide and skull were seized from Rothermel in Cheyenne, as he was returning to his home in Pennsylvania.

  Lincoln County Circuit Court judge Frank Zebre accepted Charles Rothermel’s guilty plea on March 4, 2008.  Rothermel was fined $2,500 for taking a bear without a license and $200 for making a false statement on a registration affidavit.  Rothermel was placed on probation and had all Wyoming license privileges revoked for three years.

Outfitter Shane Clark also entered a guilty plea, and was fined $2,500 for aiding in the taking of a black bear without a Wyoming license, and $500 for failing, as a licensed outfitter, to report the violation to Wyoming Game and Fish officers.  Clark was placed on probation and had all Wyoming license privileges, except his outfitting license, revoked for three years.  In addition, Rothermel and Clark were each ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution for the black bear. 

“The public in Wyoming considers wildlife, including black bears, an important and valuable asset,” said Assistant Lincoln County attorney Greg Corpening.  “Blatantly violating hunting laws to take a trophy game animal is a serious offense.” 

Statham, Hartley, Clark and Rothermel all will be entered into the violator compact system for revocation proceedings that would prohibit their license privileges in the 28 states that are members of the compact.
Wardens Hymas and Graham commended the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office and Circuit Court for their role in protecting Wyoming’s wildlife.  “We can’t say enough about the work of the assistant county attorneys who continue to recognize the importance of upholding all the laws in their jurisdictions, including wildlife laws,” said  Hymas.  “They perform their duties very professionally.” 

Bear hunters are reminded that all Wyoming black bear hunt areas are regulated by a mortality quota system that automatically closes the season when the established mortality quota is reached.  It is the responsibility of all bear hunters to check the Black Bear Hunting Hotline at (800) 264-1280, to see if the season has been closed in their hunt area before heading to the field.  Hunters should also pick up a copy of the 2008 black bear hunting regulations, which can be obtained at any Game and Fish office or license agent. Additional information can be found at the Game and Fish Web site: http://gf.state.wy.us.
“Once again, a conviction came as a result of someone taking the time to report a violation to the Stop Poaching Hotline,” added Graham.  “We appreciate this report and encourage folks to continue to use the hotline.”  

APRIL 18, 2008
HUNTER’S JOURNAL HELPS LAND 20 WILDLIFE CONVICTIONS FOR FIVE MEN

LANDER – This case hits home why wildlife crime should be reported even if the violation may seem insignificant.

In October 2002, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department received information from a confidential informant that a California man was applying for resident licenses. The following investigation led to a hunting camp in the southern Wind River Mountains and spiraled into 20 wildlife convictions for five men, involved officers in two states and recently culminated with a Pennsylvania man being sentenced for taking an overlimit of elk in a closed season.

“When it comes to wildlife violations, this was another case of ‘where there’s smoke there’s fire,’” said Lander Wildlife Investigator Scott Browning.

The initial tip reported Dwayne D. Ribley of Solvang, Calif. was applying for resident big game licenses. Lander Game Warden Bob Trebelcock discovered that from 1997-2002, the 62-year-old retiree had applied for 20 resident big game licenses, drawing 14 and purchased one moose preference point.

When interviewed, Ribley felt he had dual residency in Wyoming and California, because he had driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations in both states. During a conversation about the case, he offered Trebelcock his personal journal of his Wyoming hunting trips.

“The journal not only helped make the argument Mr. Ribley was not a resident, it also chronicled other violations of hunters in the camp or camping nearby,” Trebelcock said.

Although Ribley did have an expired Wyoming driver’s license with a Lander address, his journal recorded him departing California for his Wyoming hunts and then returning to the West Coast. A check of records revealed he voted in California 12 times from 1992-2002, but not in Wyoming during that period. He also admitted to the officer he had not lived in Wyoming for a full year prior to purchasing resident hunting licenses.

The game warden added the 107-page journal was very well written and would have been interesting reading even if it didn’t lead officers to additional violations.

“The journal made this one of the most unique cases I’ve ever investigated,” said Trebelcock, a 31-year Game and Fish veteran. “It’s not often a suspect offers written evidence of violations.”

On Nov. 29, 2005, Ribley pleaded guilty to 14 counts of what officers commonly call “false oath” or swearing a false statement to procure Wyoming resident hunting licenses: six elk, five deer and three pronghorn. He was fined $3,980 by Judge Robert Denhardt in Ninth Circuit Court in Lander.

The most egregious violations discovered in the journal, according to Browning, who was enlisted to help investigate when the case expanded with the journal, were those of Carl E. Mostoller, 65, of Somerset, Pa. The journal indicated that on or about Sept. 22, 2000, Mostoller killed two elk – a 6-by-6 bull and a cow – in either area 99 or 27 on an area 98 license. He had the bull mounted by a Lander taxidermist.

Since Mostoller’s violations were not discovered until four years after being committed and he was residing in Pennsylvania, Browning enlisted the help of Pennsylvania Conservation Officer Travis Anderson to interview him.

On June 9, 2006 Mostoller was interviewed by Anderson, his hometown conservation officer. Mostoller claimed he did not consciously commit any violations and he was just following the directions of the outfitter. Mostoller was a veteran hunter in Pennsylvania and has also hunted several other states.

“As is so often the case when we ask for the help of a wildlife officer in a sister state, Travis Anderson was a tremendous assist,” Browning said. “He quickly addressed the situation after being contacted and did a great job of getting to the bottom of the violations. We might not have ever gotten the conviction without his fine work.”

Due to a backlog of cases in Sublette County and legal questions in Pennsylvania concerning custody of the elk mount, the case was just recently sentenced. In a plea agreement, Mostoller pleaded no contest to hunting elk in a closed season and taking an overlimit of elk.

Judge Curt Haws of the Ninth Circuit Court in Pinedale fined Mostoller $860 and ordered him to pay $1,000 in restitution to the Wyoming Wildlife Protector’s Association, who oversees the Stop Poaching Program. His Wyoming hunting and fishing license privileges were revoked for three years and he was placed on one year unsupervised probation. The judge also ordered Mostoller to forfeit the shoulder mount of the 6-by-6 elk, which he paid $740 for in 2000, to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Charges of compensating an unlicensed outfitter and making a false statement to procure an Interstate Game Tag were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

On March 26, the paperwork was completed that also revokes Mostoller’s hunting and fishing privileges in the 23 other cooperating states of the Wildlife Violator Compact. His forfeited elk mount is being permanently displayed at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s regional office in Bolivar.

From the journal and confessions, these individuals were also cited and forfeited the bond they posted: Jerry W. Plowman, 55, Santa Ynez, Calif., fishing without a license, $110. James R. Whorley, 66, Santa Maria, Calif., taking pronghorn without a license, $410. Warning citation for failing to purchase a conservation stamp. John T. Silva, III, 47, Orcut, Calif., taking pronghorn without a license, $410, taking elk in the wrong areas, $210. Warning citation for failing to purchase a conservation stamp.

“This camp made shambles of the Wyoming laws and regulations that work to manage wildlife and provide opportunity to lawful sportsmen,” Browning said. “For example Mostoller hunted in the wrong area, with a rifle in archery season, killed two elk on one license and used an illegal outfitter. He did not seem to care about our wildlife laws at all.”

Browning believes that some members of the camp were involved with an illegal outfitter. Charges of outfitting without a license, along with taking a bull elk out of season and in a wrong area were also going to be filed against another individual, but he died in 2006.

APRIL 11, 2008
INFORMATION ON DUBOIS POACHING INCIDENT LEADS TO CONVICTION

DUBOIS – Information received following the discovery of an unusual scene near Dubois in October 2007 has resulted in the conviction of two Wyoming men for their involvement in several wildlife violations.

Clinton Brower of Riverton, 20, received penalties for wanton destruction of a bull elk, taking an over limit of elk and failure to tag a big game animal. A fourth charge of waste or abandonment of elk was dismissed. Brower’s brother, Edwin A. Shearer of Kinnear, 25, received penalties for waste and abandonment of edible portions of a bull elk. A second charge of accessory to wanton waste or destruction of elk was dismissed.

Fremont County Court Judge Rob Denhardt ordered Brower to pay $90 in fines and $6,000 restitution to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in addition to a 270 -day jail sentence, of which 254 days were suspended. Brower also lost his hunting and trapping privileges for six years, three of which were suspended provided Brower does not commit any more wildlife violations. Shearer’s penalties totaled fines of $530 for waste or abandonment of edible portions of a bull elk as well as a 60-day jail sentence that was suspended provided he does not violate any law, particularly wildlife laws of Wyoming or any other jurisdiction through July 28, 2008.

Two hunters’ discovery of a suspicious scene on Arrow Mountain south of Dubois prompted them to report their findings to Dubois Game Warden Cole Thompson. Thompson and one of the witnesses investigated the scene and found one entire bull elk along with edible portions of two other bull elk abandoned and left to waste.

Witness statements and interviews of Brower and Shearer revealed that the brothers had been hunting in the area on Oct. 2 when Brower killed a small bull elk. They packed some of this elk to camp, leaving substantial portions of it to go to waste. They went hunting again the next day and each killed a 6-point bull elk. They packed some of each of these elk to the Torrey Creek trailhead, again abandoning to waste, substantial edible portions of each elk. All of the small bull elk killed by Brower on Oct. 2 was abandoned at their camp and allowed to go to waste.

Approximately 200 yards from the site of the first small bull elk killed by Brower, the spoiled carcass of another small bull was found. Although some evidence indicated the killing of this elk might have been connected to the case, evidence was not sufficient to warrant charges. Information regarding this elk is still being sought. Anyone with information about this crime or any other wildlife violation should call (877) WGFD-TIP. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for cash reward up to $5,000 if the information leads to a conviction.

The successful prosecution of this case was a result of the reports received from two concerned hunters that were witness to the incident and coordination between Lander Region Game Wardens, the Fremont County Probation and Parole Office and the Fremont County Attorney’s Office.

CALL TO STOP POACHING HOTLINE NABS TWO BRIDGER VALLEY MEN

FORT BRIDGER—On Sept. 22, 2007, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department received a tip on its Stop Poaching Hotline concerning a buck mule deer that may have been shot and left on the Bigelow Bench Walk-in Access Hunting Area.

Game and Fish warden Rick King responded to the call and discovered a mature four-point buck deer that had been recently shot and left to waste. King said several items of evidence were obtained at the scene and the caller to the Stop Poaching Hotline was able to give a description of two male suspects in the area, just prior to the discovery of the deer.

"The next day, I received a call from a ranch manager near Lonetree, who reported a dead buck mule deer on the old Wadsworth Ranch Sage Creek Pasture," King said. "I investigated and located two buck mule deer that also had been recently shot and left to waste. I collected evidence at this crime scene and submitted that evidence, along with evidence from the Bigelow Bench buck, to the Wyoming State Crime Lab in Cheyenne."

"The Game and Fish Wildlife Investigative Unit immediately provided their assistance in the case following the discovery of the two bucks in Sage Creek.” King said. “We received several informational tips in the weeks following the initial investigation that indicated Aaron Adams and Sean Davis were responsible for killing the Bigelow Bench buck, the bucks in Sage Creek and a fourth buck killed on private property south of the Walk-in Area on Bigelow Bench."

King said a search warrant was served on two vehicles and a residence in Fort Bridger in early October.
"We were able to obtain further evidence linking Davis and Adams to the crimes, including spent rifle casings from a rifle uncovered during the search. The Wyoming State Crime Lab determined the casings obtained during the service of the search warrant matched the casings found at the Sage Creek crime scene. The crime lab also matched fingerprints from evidence secured at the Bigelow Bench crime scene with those of one of the suspects."

During the course of the investigation, Wildlife Investigator Jim Gregory obtained videotape from a residence in Mountain View, which showed Adams and Davis killing a buck deer with a .22 caliber rifle.
"Adams and Davis filmed the killing of this deer and the videotape ended up in the hands of an acquaintance of the two men. We later determined that the deer killed on the tape was the fourth deer killed by Adams and Davis.” King said.

Both men have been charged with conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, a felony charge. In addition, each man faces misdemeanor counts of wanton destruction of wildlife. If convicted of a felony, the two could face up to two years imprisonment and lose the ability to possess a firearm. The misdemeanor wanton destruction charges could result in the loss of all hunting privileges in Wyoming and 27 other states that are members of the Wildlife Violator Compact.

Charges and sentencing for Adams and Davis are pending in Uinta County.

BUFFALO JUVENILES SENTENCED FOR WANTON DESTRUCTION

Buffalo – On April 11, 2008, the final suspect in a very disturbing case involving wanton destruction of wildlife was sentenced in Johnson County Circuit Court. Sentencing brought to a close a case that had been on going since November 2007.

On November 23, 2007, three juveniles from Buffalo killed at least eight big game animals, probably many more. The three boys, all age 15, drove a loop from Buffalo to Ucross, then towards Clermont before heading back to Buffalo, killing and likely wounding deer and antelope along the way.

“This was the most disturbing act of wanton destruction that I have seen in 16 years,” says Buffalo Game Warden Jim Seeman. “None of the animals were taken from the field, leaving them all to rot.”

Fines for all the cases totaled over $29,000, although most were suspended. The juveniles were also ordered to serve community service and were put on supervised probation for three years. One of the suspects was also ordered to serve 20 days in a juvenile detention facility and lost his hunting and fishing privileges for 12 years. The other two boys lost their hunting privileges for six years each.

“This case could not have been solved if it weren’t for the cooperation of a local rancher, a business owner, the Buffalo Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. I wish to thank everyone who cooperated, with a special thanks to the Johnson County Attorney’s Office,” said Seeman.

March 21, 2008
GAME WARDEN EXAM OFFERED IN WYOMING AND ACROSS THE NATION

CHEYENNE— The Wyoming game warden examination will be given in Casper and Laramie this fall and at a number of sites across the nation. The exam will be offered between Sept. 27—Oct. 27, 2008.

To qualify for the exam, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in a wildlife-related field or be on track to earn the degree by Dec. 31, 2008. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is also offering the exam at universities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin.

Qualified individuals must submit a State of Wyoming job application and register for the exam by Sept. 10, 2008, to take the exam. Upon registration, applicants will be provided with additional instructions regarding dates, testing location, etc. in their registration confirmation letter.

Upon passing the exam, applicants will be notified if they have been selected for an interview and further testing, including a psychological assessment and job suitability profile. Individuals who successfully complete the process will be placed on a list from which game wardens, wildlife technicians and regional access coordinators are selected.

In addition to enforcing laws and regulations, Wyoming game wardens collect biological information, investigate wildlife damage to crops and livestock and serve as department liaisons with the public.
For more information, visit the WGFD Fish Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us, e-mail barbara.duke@wgf.state.wy.us or call 307-777-4579.

March 14, 2008
INTERNET POST LEADS TO CONVICTION FOR WANTON DESTRUCTION OF ANTELOPE

GREEN RIVER – Nearly three months after intentionally hitting and killing two antelope with his vehicle Dec. 7 and posting the photos on the Internet, a Rock Springs man was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Victoria Schofield.

Jonathan L. Hefner, 24, pleaded guilty Feb. 29 to two counts of wanton destruction of a big game animal. His sentence included: $6,000 ($3,000 for each antelope) of restitution to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, five-year suspension of hunting privileges, 12 months unsupervised probation during which time he can have no wildlife violations and a 360-day suspended jail sentence. Hefner was also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund, $20 court costs and a $10 court automation fee.
The Game and Fish Department received a Stop Poaching tip December 2007 reporting a man who had posted photographs on the Internet of two antelope he hit and killed with his vehicle. Game and Fish officers recognized the vehicle and location near Farson. The officers contacted the man's employer and identified the antelope hit-and-run motorist as Hefner.

Anyone with information about any wildlife violation should call the local game warden or the Stop Poaching Hotline at (877) WGFD-TIP (943-3847). Reports can also be made on-line at: http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/enforcement/stoppoaching/submittip.aspx

March 10, 2008
GAME & FISH TO BEGIN BAIT AND REDISTRIBUTION EFFORT IN RESPONSE TO RED RIM ELK LOSSES

RAWLINS – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will initiate a bait and redistribution effort on Tuesday, March 11th, in response to the loss of 8 elk in the Red Rim area southwest of Rawlins. Game and Fish officials suspect Xanthoparmelia lichen is once again the culprit.

Rawlins Game Warden Kim Olson discovered 3 elk on Thursday, March 6th, when she responded to a report of sick elk in the high-lichen area. The elk were taken to the Game and Fish Lab for analysis. Lab reports indicate that very little lichen was apparently present in elk stomachs. Another elk was located on Sunday, and 4 more on Monday, March 10th.

“It was surprising to find that the elk had very little lichen in their stomachs,” said Kent Schmidlin, Regional Wildlife Supervisor. “The elk we located clearly exhibited many of the same symptoms we saw in elk that died in 2004.”

Game and Fish biologists and game wardens have been monitoring the area all winter looking for signs of lichen consumption by elk. Signs of lichen consumption include red staining in elk urine and weakened, immobile animals. Elk have been present in the area for a few months, but deep, crusted snow had kept elk from consuming lichen until recent warmer weather opened up ground on ridges where the lichen is found.

Game and Fish personnel are optimistic that warm weather will soon open up areas where elk can feed away from the lichen, but have decided to take action to try to prevent the loss of as many animals as possible.

“We examined the different options and decided the best option was to bait elk into areas where lichen is less available,” said Schmidlin. “There are approximately 200 elk present in the area, so we are looking at this bait and redistribution effort as a learning tool. We don’t expect to see nearly the losses we saw in 2004 even if elk continue to consume lichen because we have so many fewer animals in the area than we did that year.”

According to Schmidlin, the bait and redistribution effort is not an effort to feed elk, rather an effort to move them to areas without the high-lichen density. Simply feeding elk may draw even more animals into the area and may concentrate animals increasing the spread of diseases. Feeding elk may also encourage more elk to return to the area next winter, and may not prevent animals from continuing to graze on areas where lichen is present. Although some of these concerns still arise with a bait and redistribution effort, Game and Fish officials feel that something needs to be done, and simply running elk out of the area may cause enough stress that some of the animals wouldn’t survive after already weathering a difficult winter.
The lichen claimed a minimum of 328 elk in 2004 beginning on February 8th and continuing into March. Game and Fish officials are optimistic that baiting and warmer weather will draw the big game animals out of the area before many animals become afflicted.

“The bait and redistribution effort seems to be our only viable option at this point,” said Schmidlin. “We have no way of knowing how much lichen an elk has to consume to become afflicted, and we may not be able to prevent them from continuing to graze in the high-lichen areas. But we need to do something and feel this is a good opportunity to determine whether or not a bait and redistribution effort will work. We will continue to monitor the elk as the winter comes to an end and in subsequent winters as we have since 2004.”

March 7, 2008
GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR TERRY CLEVELAND TO RETIRE

CHEYENNE—After 39 years of service to the state, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Terry Cleveland is retiring, effective June 30, 2008. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will immediately commence a nationwide search for his replacement. The commission will select three final nominees for the position and forward those names to Governor Freudenthal, who will make the final selection.

A Rawlins native, Cleveland began his career with the department in 1969 after graduating from Colorado State University. His first assignment was as Special Deputy Game Warden at Elk Mountain. As his career as a Wyoming Game Warden progressed, he was assigned to stations in Jeffrey City, Greybull, and Saratoga. In 1978 he was promoted to District Wildlife Supervisor for the Casper district. In 1996 he was promoted to Assistant Division Chief in the Wildlife Division. And in 2003 he was appointed Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

“Few people have the good fortune to spend their entire professional life in employment for which they have a passion,” said Cleveland. “I am one of the lucky few who have looked forward to going to work on a daily basis for almost four decades.”

“Terry Cleveland may be the finest director that the Game and Fish Department has ever seen,” said Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal. “During his tenure, he navigated some of the most difficult wildlife management issues that our state has ever faced, including the delisting of wolves and grizzly bears and the ongoing challenges of sage grouse conservation and brucellosis. As he grappled with these challenges, Terry did so with a sense of mastery, and conducted himself in a manner that built confidence in department staff and in the citizens of Wyoming. Terry will leave the Game and Fish Department in very good condition heading into the future, and I thank him for his dedication, his service and his enduring commitment to the state. I will miss him as a colleague and a friend and hope to not let him go very far as I will continue to rely on him for his wise counsel.”

“It’s been a pleasure to work with all the people I’ve crossed paths with during the past four decades,” said Cleveland. “We are blessed to have professional, dedicated people throughout the department. The Wyoming Game and Fish commission has done an outstanding job of bridging the gap between the department and the public while always keeping the best interests of Wyoming’s wildlife at the forefront. I also want to recognize the efforts of Governor Freudenthal and the Wyoming Legislature. Their commitment to Wyoming’s wildlife resources has made my job much easier. And finally, I would like to thank all of the private landowners who provide habitat for wildlife across the state. The richness, abundance, and diversity of Wyoming’s wildlife resources would not be nearly so great without the contributions of the hundreds of private landowners in the state.”

During his tenure as director, Cleveland focused on finding additional sources of funding for wildlife management in Wyoming. He was instrumental in obtaining general fund appropriations for a number of wildlife programs that benefit Wyoming’s citizens, including capital facilities, veterinary services, management of gray wolves, sage grouse conservation, and sensitive species.

“The department’s management and conservation programs have traditionally been funded almost entirely by hunters and anglers,” said Cleveland. “But I’ve always felt that Wyoming’s wildlife benefits all of our citizens, and that those who don’t hunt and fish should have the opportunity to help support conservation and management of these precious resources. As hunter and angler numbers continue to decrease and costs for management and conservation continue to rise, one of the most pressing challenges for the future of wildlife in Wyoming will be finding a dedicated funding stream for wildlife and fisheries management in the state.”

As director, Cleveland also oversaw the removal of grizzly bears and gray wolves from the federal list of threatened and endangered species and the transition of those high-profile species from federal to state management. He led the implementation of a new electronic licensing system that provides new levels of customer service and convenience for hunters and anglers. Cleveland was also instrumental in addressing the problem of brucellosis in northwest Wyoming, and helping the state regain its brucellosis-free status.

Though Cleveland was involved in many high-profile projects over the past four decades, one of the most important for Wyoming’s wildlife was his role in resolving the controversy over private game farming, which embroiled the department from the late 1980s to early 1990s. Cleveland was intimately involved in developing and defending Wyoming’s position throughout this process. His involvement and perseverance were critical to the ultimate decision to say no to game farming and associated problems with wildlife diseases in Wyoming and have helped make Wyoming the envy of others throughout the United States and Canada with an entrenched game farming industry.

Looking to the future, Cleveland said he sees a number of challenges on the horizon for Wyoming’s wildlife and their habitats, including the myriad of diseases and invasive species that plague wildlife; adapting to the challenges brought on by continued persistent drought and climate change; addressing the loss of habitat due to urban and industrial expansion; and fulfilling the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s statutory mandate to provide for an adequate and flexible system for control, propagation, management, protection, and regulation of all Wyoming wildlife.

“It has been my privilege, honor, and great good fortune to have served on the Game and Fish Commission these past four and a half years that Terry Cleveland has served as director,” said Bill Williams, president of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. “The passion, institutional knowledge, and most of all the credibility he brought to the job is unsurpassed in the history of the department. The department, the commission, and most importantly wildlife and the people of Wyoming have benefited immensely from not only his four and one half years as director--but his nearly forty years as a dedicated, fully engaged Game and Fish employee. I'm sure I speak for the entire commission when I say that there will be a huge void to fill when he leaves the department--but at the same time we wish he and his wife, Donna, all the very best as they enjoy his well deserved retirement.

CHIEF GAME WARDEN’S NEW BOOK HELPS FUND WILDLIFE INVESTIGATIONS

CHEYENNE— The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Wildlife Forensic Laboratory is the proud recipient of a new DNA sequencer, thanks to Chief Game Warden Jay Lawson and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming.

”Men to Match our Mountains,” Lawson’s new book, chronicles the life histories of some of the most colorful outdoor men and women of early 20th Century Wyoming, including trappers, cowboys, forest rangers and early game wardens. Proceeds from book sales are donated to the Foundation’s Fund for the Advancement of Wildlife Forensics. Funds from initial sales have been transferred as a grant to the laboratory and used to purchase the DNA sequencer.

The Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, located in Laramie on the University of Wyoming campus, provides analytical and technical forensic services to the Game and Fish, and conducts investigations for many other wildlife agencies on a fee basis. The lab has analyzed evidence from elk, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, pronghorns, turkeys, moose, bears, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. In addition to tissue samples, the lab analyzes bloody knives, arrows, guns, antlers and horns, bloody clothing and entrails. Other items the lab has analyzed for evidence include beer cans, boards, sink strainers, claws, mats and containers of every shape and size.

After the laboratory determines the species of origin for a sample, the analysis moves into the DNA realm. DNA is the unique genetic code contained in all living things Using a technique where DNA is replicated millions of times, the lab can determine if the sample originated from a male or female.

Following that determination, the new Li-Cor® sequencer comes into play, allowing the lab to determine whether two or more evidentiary items originated from the same animal. For example, a game warden might find a headless carcass abandoned in the field. The lab can later match a mounted head or a package of meat to that carcass. This is key to solving many of the most serious wildlife violations.
Thanks to Chief Game Warden Jay Lawson and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming – the wildlife resources of Wyoming will receive better protection.

February 28, 2008
GILLETTE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DEER POACHING

GILLETTE—A Gillette man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to shooting a large buck mule deer out of season northwest of Gillette in early November.

On February 22, Troy Bauder, pled guilty to killing an antlered mule deer out of season and was ordered to pay $10,000 in fines and restitution. He also received six months probation, and a 90-day suspended jail sentence. Bauder’s hunting privileges were revoked for five years, and he was ordered to forfeit a rifle to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

The incident occurred on Nov. 8, in northeast Johnson County near the Powder River, where Bauder had been checking oil wells. While on his way to a well, Bauder saw a large non-typical buck mule deer standing near the oilfield road and shot it two times in the head with a .22 caliber rifle. He then proceeded to check the well, thinking the deer was dead. Shortly after Bauder left the scene, a survey crew drove by and noticed the deer, which was still alive. When they noticed blood dripping from its head, they contacted the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. North Gillette game warden John Lund responded, and verified that the deer had indeed been shot. A .22 caliber bullet was recovered from the deer’s head, and an empty shell casing was found on the road close to where the deer had been located by the survey crew. The survey crew advised that they had seen an oilfield pumper in the immediate area, and gave Lund a detailed description of the vehicle and its driver.

The following morning, the warden returned to the scene and waited for the pumper to return to check his wells. Just after 1 P.M., the pumper, who was then identified as Troy Bauder, returned, and eventually admitted to shooting the deer. He then showed the warden where he had hidden the rifle and a box of ammunition in a treater house located at the oil well. The rifle had one empty shell in the chamber, which was identical to the empty shell located at the scene where the deer was shot, as well as ten live rounds in the magazine.

“With a 28-inch spread, this six-by-nine point non-typical buck would have been a trophy of a lifetime for any law abiding hunter,” Lund said. “I applaud the survey crew for reporting the crime, as well as their attention to detail, which greatly assisted the investigation.” Lund said that without their assistance, this crime would likely have been undetected. “Due to limited enforcement personnel, wardens rely heavily on citizens to report wildlife violations,” Lund added.

January 30, 2008
ILLEGAL CRAYFISH INTRODUCTION COSTS COLORADO COMPANY $100,000

The owner of a Colorado company must pay $100,000 in fines and restitution for illegally transporting rusty crayfish into Wyoming, a U.S. District Court judge ruled on Monday.

Thirty-four-year-old Shannon Skelton, owner of Fort Collins, Colorado-based Colorado Fisheries, Inc., a company that creates fish habitats and sells trophy-quality fish to high-end ranches and fishing lodges, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful transportation of illegally possessed wildlife, a violation of the Lacey Act. Skelton and Colorado Fisheries, Inc. must jointly pay $40,000 in fines for the Lacey Act violation, and $60,000 in restitution to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The restitution will pay for expenses incurred to eradicate the illegal crayfish. Chapter 10 of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Regulations prohibits the importation of rusty crayfish into the state.

The Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 3371-3378, protects both plants and wildlife by creating civil and criminal penalties for a wide array of violations. Most notably, the Act prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold. Thus, the Act underscores other federal, state, and foreign laws protecting wildlife by making it a separate offense to take, possess, transport, or sell wildlife that has been taken in violation of those laws. A violation of the Lacey Act automatically results in a federal case. This case was prosecuted in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The case is centered around the illegal importation of rusty crayfish as a forage base for fish in ponds on three private ranches in Wyoming. In May of 2006, a ranch owner who had previously contracted with Colorado Fisheries, Inc. contacted Game and Fish for a permit to move some crayfish from one pond to another on a private ranch near Douglas. Fish biologists requested the identification of the crayfish prior to any movement between the ponds. Upon investigation, biologists identified the prohibited rusty crayfish; a species not previously found in Wyoming. Game and Fish determined that the ranch was unknowingly the victim of illegally stocked crayfish through its dealings with Colorado Fisheries, Inc. Biologists also discovered rusty crayfish had entered a tributary of the North Platte River. Eradication efforts began immediately to remove the unwanted crayfish.

Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) measures two and one-half inches in length (not including claws). They have dark, rusty spots on each side of their carapace (outer body shell). Their claws are grayish-green to reddish-brown and are smoother than most other crayfish. Rusty crayfish can cause a variety of negative environmental and economic impacts when introduced to new waters. They are an aggressive species that often displace native or existing crayfish species. Invading rusty crayfish also reduce the amount and kinds of aquatic plants and invertebrates, and reduce some fish populations. “Rusty crayfish are very aggressive and very prolific,” said Al Conder, regional fishery supervisor for the Casper Game and Fish office. “If this species establishes in our waters we could potentially see a loss of our native crayfish species and severe impacts to other aquatic species.”

Perhaps the most serious impact from rusty crayfish is the destruction of aquatic plant beds. Rusty crayfish have been shown to reduce aquatic plant abundance and species diversity. Submerged aquatic plants are important for habitat for invertebrates (which provide food for fish and ducks), shelter for young gamefish, panfish, or forage species of fish, nesting substrate for fish, and erosion control. “Illegal introductions are the most serious violations in terms of damage to aquatic resources and fishing opportunity,” said Mike Stone, chief of fisheries for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

To date, Game and Fish has spent $34,424.81 to remove the crayfish from several ponds and a portion of one stream. Additional expenses will be incurred for monitoring the site and any subsequent eradication efforts.
“We’re very fortunate that we had the opportunity to get there early and control it,” Conder said. “Had we not got there early they would be downstream in the North Platte drainage and upstream toward Casper. If they had made it to the North Platte River we could not have controlled them.”
The Game and Fish Department will continue its efforts to prevent the introduction and/or spread of unwanted species in the state. “This case should show the residents of Wyoming that we take the illegal importation of injurious species very serious,” said Mike Ehlebracht, Investigative Unit Supervisor for the Game and Fish Department.

January 30, 2008
ARE YOU A WYOMING RESIDENT?

Hunting and fishing in Wyoming is a privilege granted by state law and Wyoming, like other states, has different fees for residents and non-residents.

The difference in cost can be substantial and for some newcomers to Wyoming the cost savings lead them to claim they are a Wyoming resident when in fact, they are not.

"There is no cost savings if you get caught," said Gary Brown, Cody region wildlife supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. "When you sign your name on a resident license, you are stating that you are a Wyoming resident. If you are not telling the truth you have committed a false oath violation."
Michael B. McGoogan of Russellville, AR, was recently convicted of two false oath violations to obtain elk licenses. McGoogan was found guilty and fined $780 for each violation. And, since he had also harvested a bull elk on a falsely obtained license, he was found guilty of taking an elk without a proper license and was fined another $780 and ordered to pay $5,000 restitution to the state of Wyoming. He has also had his hunting privileges revoked for three years in Wyoming and the other 23 states included in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

"The residency law is simple; you must be a United States citizen or legal alien, and you must be domiciled and physically reside in Wyoming for one full year—365 consecutive days—immediately preceding the date that you apply for or purchase a license," Brown said. According to Brown, domicile means that place where a person has his true, fixed, and permanent home. Having a mailing address, owning property or a business or being employed in Wyoming does not in itself prove Wyoming residency for license buying purposes.

In a separate case, Pennsylvania resident Patrick S. Baillie was found guilty of four false oath violations. Baillie's violations involved false statements to obtain antelope, mule deer, elk, fish, and archery licenses. Baillie's fines totaled $3180.

"Those who cheat the system once often find it easy to do again and again. But, if they get caught and many do, there is a domino effect and the costs often escalate," Brown said. "Newcomers are better off establishing their residency and waiting the full 365 days."

Brown also noted that a person could lose their Wyoming residency if they leave the state for extended periods. By law, if you reside in another state, territory, or country for an aggregate of one hundred eighty days (six months) or more in a calendar year you are no longer a resident for purchasing licenses. Exceptions to this are minor dependants, those temporarily employed in the service of the United States, students, military personnel, and other special situations.

A brochure entitled "Am I a Wyoming Resident" provides basic guidelines and information regarding the complex issue of residency and is available at all Game and Fish offices.

January 30, 2008
GAME AND FISH SELECTS TIM FUCHS TO HEAD JACKSON REGION

Jackson game warden, Tim Fuchs, has been promoted to the new Jackson Region Wildlife Supervisor position for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Fuchs has spent the past four years serving as the south Jackson game warden.

Fuchs began his Game and Fish career as a biologist aid in Glenrock. Following six months of service with a private consulting firm, Tim was hired as a game warden trainee in Alcova. He continued his training in Lander before being promoted to the Lusk game warden district in March 1982. In November 1986 he transferred to Thermopolis where he was the game warden for 18 years before transferring to Jackson in September 2004.

“Tim has tremendous people skills, whether it’s dealing with hunters & anglers, other agencies or community organizations,” says Jay Lawson, Wildlife Division Chief for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “Jackson can be a challenging place to manage wildlife with a number of high profile issues and a very diverse and engaged public. It will take a quality individual to successfully manage these issues and we feel we have that in Tim.”

Tim is a Cannon Falls, Minn. native, graduating from Cannon Falls High School in 1976. He earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from the University of Wyoming in 1980.

In 1985, Tim was honored as the Safari Club “Wildlife Officer of the Year.” He was also presented the Game and Fish’s 1998 “Peer Recognition Award.”

He, and his wife, Joan, have two children, Katy and Brian.

January 3, 2008
SHERIDAN COUNTY MOOSE POACHING

Sometime on November 3, 2007, a cow moose was shot off the Red Grade Road near Rapid Creek in Moose Hunt Area 1, located in the northern Bighorn Mountains. A local citizen reported the dead moose, saying that the animal had been apparently shot and left. By the time officers arrived on the scene, the quarters and back straps had been removed. Moose Hunt Area 1 is one of the most highly sought after areas to hunt trophy moose in the state.

Sheridan Game Warden Bruce Scigliano, who investigated the incident with warden James Hobbs says, “Moose are not only popular big game animals but they also provide countless hours of viewing pleasure for residents and visitors. This cow moose was killed out of season and poachers stole this animal from hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike.”

Moose are sometimes mistakenly identified as elk during elk seasons but as Scigliano says: “We often find that hunters who kill a moose by accident do the responsible thing and report their mistake. In this case, however, no one has stepped up. We can only assume that someone took advantage of the animal’s proximity to the road and shot her. Unfortunately the loss of this cow can affect future populations and viewing opportunities.” The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking anyone who may have information about this case to call Scigliano at 672-2790, the Sheridan Regional Office at 672-7418 or the new Stop Poaching number 877-943-3847 (877-WGFD TIP). The Department is also seeking more information about a bull moose poaching incident that occurred September 2007 west of Burgess Junction. Callers may remain anonymous. Anyone offering information leading to the arrest of the person or persons committing this crime may be eligible for an up to a $5,000 reward.

December 20, 2007
WINTER FEEDING OF BIG GAME ANIMALS

Winter officially begins December 21 and with the winter solstice comes a winter message from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department—please do not feed the deer.

“Supplemental feeding of big game, especially during periods of winter stress, is at times an appropriate response—most notably when and where ancestral winter habitat has been lost or severely degraded,” said Gary Brown, Cody Region wildlife supervisor. “However, feeding deer in urban settings can be counterproductive to the overall well-being of the herd.”

In many towns throughout the Big Horn Basin, urban deer numbers have increased, due in part to rural subdivisions encroaching upon winter ranges. “As our communities expand and grow, so do our urban deer problems, “ Brown said. These problems range from property damage such as destroyed vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, and new shrub plantings, to pet injuries and deer-vehicle collisions.

“Supplemental feeding of urban deer in the winter exacerbates these problems,” Brown said. He noted that by providing opportunities for deer to obtain birdseed, field corn, or other supplemental food items, deer could become accustomed to humans and transportation corridors, which changes their natural behavior. “Feeding urban deer may also have the effect of increasing the deer population in a community and that often creates conflict between neighbors, those who like to feed and those who do not want deer around at all, ” Brown added.

Brown cited another very important reason not to feed urban deer—mountain lions. “Mountain lions feed primarily on deer and they are active year-round. Houses, garages, shrubbery, and even parked vehicles make great stalking cover for mountain lions. If you intentionally feed deer to purposefully keep them around your home, the chances of attracting mountain lions into your neighborhood increases, “ Brown said.
“I truly believe that many people have nothing but good intentions when they feed deer and probably never consider the unintended consequences of their actions.” Brown said.

December 5, 2007
NEW FISHING REGULATIONS TAKE EFFECT

Anglers across the state will have new fishing regulations to follow after January 1, 2008. The new regulations include some fairly significant changes, all of which were presented at public meetings across the state in May of 2007.

Among the more notable changes in fishing regulations are in those areas that deal with baitfish. Anglers who fish with live minnows will be pleased to know that new receipts increase the length of time live minnows may be kept. Receipts for wild-caught minnows are now good for 15 days instead of 10 days, and receipts for certified hatchery-raised minnows are now valid for 30 days. However, a seining license holder can no longer give away baitfish to other license holders outside those in his or her immediate fishing party. In addition, the new regulations remove some of the size restrictions on legal gear for taking baitfish, which includes hand operated seines, traps, cast nets, umbrella nets, and dip nets.

More waters have also been added under the specialized regulations for ice fishing. These include Goldeneye, Grey Reef, Guernsey and Kortes reservoirs in Area 5. Anglers fishing these waters can now use up to 6 lines through the ice under the special winter ice fishing provision.

Ice fishermen headed to Boysen Reservoir should be aware of the separation of creel limits for walleye and sauger. Anglers will still be able to keep a daily limit of six walleye, but sauger will be separated into a daily creel limit of two. In addition, walleye and sauger caught in the Wind River, Bighorn River, and Tongue River drainages must remain whole until the angler is off the water and done fishing for the day.

The new regulations also include changes to the number and size of trout that can be kept at Miracle Mile. Anglers can now keep 3 trout, with 1 over 16 inches. Anglers can also now keep three trout on the stretch of the North Platte River between Lusby and Bessemer Bend, provided only one of the trout is over 20 inches.
Statewide, anglers will also experience some regulation changes. Except on waters with regulations specified otherwise, statewide changes include the following: the creel limit for whitefish will change from 50 to 25, and the creel limit for brook trout will be separated from other trout and will change to 16 with no more than six brook trout exceeding eight inches. The creel limit for trout will remain six with no more than one exceeding 20 inches. The trout category will include salmon and grayling in addition to brown, cutthroat, golden, lake, rainbow, splake, tiger trout, and other trout hybrids, excluding brook trout.

Regulation changes described in this article are meant to provide anglers with a brief summary of some regulation changes they can expect to go into effect January 1, 2008. This is by no means an all-encompassing representation of all of the regulation changes taking place, and anglers are strongly encouraged to review the new 2008-2009 regulations before fishing in 2008. All changes are highlighted in blue with some also highlighted with yellow for easy identification. Copies of the 2008-2009 regulations should be available after Christmas at the local Game and Fish office and on the department’s web page at http://gf.state.wy.us. Anglers are reminded that they need to pick up a new license and conservation stamp prior to fishing in 2008.

December 5, 2007
GAME WARDENS THANK CITIZENS FOR WILDLIFE TIPS, SEVERAL CASES UNDER INVESTIGATION

Wyoming Game and Fish Department law enforcement officials would like to thank the public for numerous tips that have led to investigations of several serious wildlife violations this fall. Department law enforcement personnel have a big job, and public involvement is key to helping them accomplish their duties.

“Unfortunately several severe wildlife violations kept game wardens occupied during the hunting season, and many wardens weren’t able to spend as much time as they would have liked being involved in field checks,” said Regional Wildlife Supervisor Kent Schmidlin. “But public involvement has played a major role in collecting the time-sensitive evidence needed for many of the ongoing investigations.”

Most of the citizens of Wyoming are aware of the law enforcement responsibilities afforded to the state’s game wardens and of the great effort our game wardens put forth to accomplish these duties. But game wardens in Wyoming have a much bigger job than meets the eye. While game wardens in most other states are strictly law enforcement officials, Wyoming game wardens spend only about 35% of time on the job enforcing state statutes and Commission regulations and performing other law enforcement duties. These duties include enforcing hunting, fishing, and watercraft regulations, investigating cases, and law enforcement training.

The other 65% of the time, game wardens step up to several additional tasks essential to Wyoming’s wildlife and Game and Fish functions. These additional tasks include collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for wildlife populations; making decisions regarding the management of Wyoming wildlife resources; representing the department in contacts with other agencies, organizations, and individuals; public relations; and receiving input from citizens. They are also responsible for managing wildlife and trophy game damage control, compiling reports, managing budgets and equipment, and selling licenses. Even with all of these tasks on their plate, many game wardens still find time to teach hunter education, lead classes at local schools, and participate in annual events such as the Department’s Annual Hunting and Fishing Heritage EXPO and youth camp.

With their never-ending list of responsibilities, Department game wardens greatly appreciate the amount of assistance given them by the citizens of Wyoming.

“We investigate every tip received via the Stop Poaching hotline, at our local office, and at game warden stations,” said Schmidlin. “Even when those tips turn out to be legitimate hunting activities and legal take of wildlife, we greatly appreciate the public keeping an eye out for our wildlife resources. Reports by the public of suspicious activity this fall and early winter have led to several investigations that will help us continue to protect our herds and prosecute those that have lost respect for Wyoming’s wildlife.”

According to Schmidlin, sometimes the most helpful tips are those received via the Stop Poaching hotline. Although tips received at game warden stations can be very helpful, messages are often left on answering machines and not received in time for game wardens to obtain proper evidence. Due to the time-sensitive nature of most evidence involved in wildlife investigations, the Stop Poaching hotline dispatch personnel are on duty 24 hours a day and that will ensure available personnel are contacted in time to act on information.

“As herds begin to move down to more visible winter ranges, we often see an increase in poaching,” said Schmidlin. “Our game wardens are actively monitoring herds, but we also urge the public to continue to report any suspicious activity to the Stop Poaching hotline. It is great to see the public taking advantage of this opportunity to protect Wyoming’s wildlife resources, and we would like to offer a big thanks to the citizens of Wyoming for continuing to value and protect our wildlife heritage and for giving our law enforcement officials a hand.”

Anyone with information about a wildlife violation is encouraged to call the Stop Poaching Hotline at (877) WGFD-TIP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to a conviction.

November 16, 2007
TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES OF BULL ELK POACHING IN LARAMIE MOUNTAINS

Sometime during the afternoon of November 9, 2007, two large bull elk were shot on private land in hunt area seven in the Laramie Mountains of southeast Wyoming. The crime took place where Duck Creek crosses the Garret Road on the old Duck Creek Ranch. No meat or antlers were taken from either animal and all meat was spoiled by the time Wyoming Game and Fish Department wardens got on the scene. In another poaching incident, on either Saturday November 3rd or Sunday November 4th another bull elk was poached along the Cottonwood Park Road near Murphy Canyon. Only the head was removed from this elk with the meat being left to rot. Mature bull elk weigh between 400 and 500 pounds.

Elk hunt area seven, is one of the most highly sought after areas to hunt trophy elk in Wyoming. Elk hunters and those who simply enjoy viewing wildlife in natural settings had something stolen from them when these bull elk were poached.

Wheatland Game Warden Craig Smith who is investigating these cases along with North Laramie Game Warden Roger Bredehoft, says, “Poachers stole these animals from hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike. This is an unbelievable loss to the wildlife resource and all law-abiding citizens. The two bulls by Duck Creek were both trophy size animals, with one in the 350-size class. Most hunters will never have an opportunity to legally harvest an elk like either of these. This is a clear case of wanton destruction, the most heinous of all Game and Fish violations”

The bulls near Duck Creek were found right off the Garret Road, one about 20 feet and the other about 150 feet from the road. Smith and Bredehoft wonder about these elk being left so close to the road without even the antlers being taken. “Maybe someone came along shortly after the elk were shot and saw something that would help us solve this crime”, Bredehoft said. The Department is asking anyone with any information on either case to call Smith at 322-2067 or Bredehoft at 745-4402, the Laramie Regional Office at 745-4046 or the new Stop Poaching number 1-877-943-3847 (877-WGFD TIP). Callers may remain anonymous. Anyone offering information leading to the arrest of the person or persons committing these crimes may be eligible for a reward of up to a $5,000.

November 9, 2007
TROPHY MULE DEEER POACHERS CONVICTED

Michael J. Meeks of Pinedale, Wyoming and Cody R. Post of Riverton, Wyoming were recently convicted of illegally killing a buck mule deer near Daniel, Wyoming, on October 31st, 2006. The Halloween night escapade resulted in the two individuals killing a large buck deer during a closed season, at night, with artificial light near Daniel, Wyoming. Only the head with antlers were taken and the meat was left to waste. The two used .17 caliber rifles to kill the trophy class deer.

Both Meeks and Post were charged with taking an antlered deer during a closed season, taking a deer with artificial light and wanton waste and abandonment of game meat. They were each sentenced to $8,540 in fines and restitution, totaling $17,080. Both lost their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 5 years. In addition, two .17 caliber rifles with scopes, ammunition, a knife and a flashlight were confiscated by the Department and forfeited to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department by the Sublette County Circuit Court.
Big Piney Game Warden for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Brad Hovinga, applauded the efforts of Judge John Crow and Judge Kurt Haws, both involved in the case. “I think they sent a clear message that the poaching of mule deer will not be tolerated in Sublette County.”

Hovinga also recognized the efforts of Sublette County Attorney Ralph Boynton and his office for their relentless effort in prosecution of the case and the individuals who commit wildlife crimes. “This was definitely a team effort on the part of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Game Wardens and the Sublette County Attorney’s Office,” said Hovinga.

“Obviously, we end our hunting seasons when we do to protect these animals during the winter months when they are more vulnerable,” said Hovinga. “After years of trying to bring our mule deer numbers back up, any loss is disturbing, but especially when it’s a blatant illegal shooting like this.”

Thousands of mule deer, from the Sublette and Wyoming Range deer herds, spend their winters in the Pinedale-Big Piney-LaBarge area. It’s no secret that these animals are vulnerable this time of year, not just to poachers, but vehicle collisions and harassment by winter recreationists, including antler hunters, photographers and wildlife viewers.

In recent years, Game and Fish enforcement personnel have focused more attention on these mule deer winter ranges, but they still need help. “Obviously, we do not have the personnel to be everywhere, all the time, so we rely on reports from people who are out there,” says Hovinga.

“There are actually quite a few people out there watching the deer and their reports of suspicious activity can really help us. Whether you’re a hunter or just a wildlife enthusiast, people should be outraged about the illegal shooting of these animals,” said Hovinga.

People should look for the following poacher profiles:

• Out of state vehicles with evidence of travel in the countryside – often sport utility vehicles or pickups with toppers. Violators frequently stay in motels.
• Presence of camping, hunting or outdoor equipment.
• Firearms, spotlights, scanners or night vision equipment.
• Folks claiming to be in the area to hunt coyotes or photograph deer.
• Vehicles traveling in rural areas during the early morning, evening or late at night.
• Small amounts of blood or hair – poached wildlife typically not be readily visible.

October 18, 2007
TOP TEN HUNTING VIOLATIONS

With the hunting seasons getting underway across Wyoming, Game and Fish officials are reminding hunters to familiarize themselves with the hunting regulations for the species they plan to pursue. Each year game wardens issue citations to hunters who do not follow current laws and regulations. Avoid violations, review the “Top Ten” list and call if you have questions.

1. Failure to properly tag the game animal. After an animal is harvested, the hunter should sign the carcass coupon, detach it from the license, cut out the entire wedge for the day and month of the kill. Then attach the coupon in a clearly visible manner to the animal. During transport, the properly completed carcass coupon may be removed to prevent loss, but must be in the possession of the person transporting the carcass.
2. Failure to retain evidence of sex. If an animal is harvested in an area where the take of either sex is controlled, hunters must keep the head or a visible external sex organ naturally attached to an edible portion of the animal. An edible portion includes the front shoulders or hind quarters. It does not include the neck or ribs.
3. Hunting in the wrong area. Hunters must know the boundaries of their hunt area. BLM maps are excellent. If you have questions about the boundary, talk to your local game warden or biologist. Don’t be tempted to cross the boundary.
4. No fluorescent clothing. Big game and trophy game rifle and muzzleloader hunters are required to wear one exterior garment of fluorescent orange. This also applies to archery hunters hunting during the rifle season. This could be a hat, shirt, jacket, coat vest, or sweater. Bird hunters on Game and Fish Wildlife Habitat Management areas are also required to wear hunter orange. Fluorescent orange camouflage is legal.
5. Failure to purchase a conservation stamp. Hunters and anglers must purchase a conservation stamp to hunt and fish in Wyoming. Pioneer license holders and one-day license holders are exempt from this requirement only for the species their pioneer license is valid for. For example, the holder of a pioneer bird, fish and small game license would not need a conservations stamp to pursue these species. But if that person did not qualify for a pioneer big game license and bought a regular tag they would need a conservation stamp to pursue big game.
6. Shooting from a public road. Shooting from a public road is dangerous and illegal. Hunters cannot shoot or attempt to kill any wildlife from or across any public road or highway. Hunters must be off the road and past the borrow ditch or across the fence.
7. Trespassing to hunt. Hunters must have permission from the landowner to cross or hunt on private land. The Department recommends licensees obtain the signature of the landowner, lessee, or agent of the landowner as evidence that permission to hunt has been granted.
8. Failure to produce a hunter safety card. No person born on or after January 1, 1966 may take any wildlife by the use of firearms on land other than that of his/her own family unless they possess and can exhibit a hunter safety card. All Hunters in Grand Teton National Park are required to possess a hunter safety certificate, regardless of age.
9. Transfer of license to another person. Only the individual issued a license or stamp may use that license and/or stamp to harvest the animal specified on the license.
10. Taking the wrong sex of an animal. Hunters must take only a doe/fawn on a doe/fawn tag and a buck on a buck tag. Some hunt areas or license allow taking either sex. Be sure you know the regulations for the area and license you have.

Elk hunters should remember an elk feedground stamp is required to hunt those Elk Hunt Areas associated with elk feedgrounds, which includes most hunt areas in the Jackson/Pinedale Region. Specifically, an elk feedground Stamp is required to hunt elk in Hunt Areas 70, 71, 74, 75, and 77-98. These stamps can be purchased for $10.50 at any license vendor.

Hunters are encouraged to be on the lookout for wildlife violations and report such violations to the Stop Poaching hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP or 1-877- 943-3847. Informants can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

October 16, 2007
GAME AND FISH SEEKING INFORMATION ON POACHING OF THREE PRONGHORN BUCKS – CASH REWARD OFFERED

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking information about three pronghorn bucks illegally shot between mid-September and early October. All three bucks were found in the vicinity of a new pipeline that is under construction that runs between Casper and Sinclair.

According to East Rawlins Game Warden Bill Brinegar, all three bucks were located on roads that access work on the Sinclair pipeline. The first buck was found the week of September 17th, and the second was found on the same road in late September. The last buck was located in early October.

In all three cases, only heads were left. According to Brinegar, all three heads appeared to be propped up and posed in easily visible areas near roads. Evidence from wounds on the heads indicates all three bucks were taken with a small caliber firearm.

For killing a buck antelope without a license or out of season, a violator would likely face Wyoming’s toughest wildlife-related charge. The penalties include up to a $10,000 fine, one year in jail and not less than a five-year suspension of hunting/fishing license privileges per charge.

Game and Fish is offering a cash reward of $1,000 for information that leads to a prosecution. Anyone with information – even second hand – can remain anonymous and can report information to the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFDTIP (1-877-943-3847) or to the Lander Game and Fish Office at (307) 322-2688.

Information can also be reported via the internet at http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/enforcement/stoppoaching/submitTip.aspx.

October 9, 2007
BIGHORN SHEEP HUNTERS REMINDED OF PLUGGING PROCESS

Hunters harvesting bighorn sheep in Wyoming are reminded that registration and plugging of any harvested bighorn sheep is required within 15 consecutive days following the harvest. The head must be brought into any local Game and Fish office and must be accompanied by the licensed hunter that harvested the sheep.

Any person that picks up any bighorn sheep head or horns is also required to come in within 15 consecutive days of the pickup for registration, plugging, and interstate game tagging. Individuals that pick up horns may be required to provide Game and Fish officials with substantial proof that horns were legally acquired, possibly including accompanying a Game and Fish official to the location where horns were acquired.

Bighorn sheep horns may be brought into any local Game and Fish office Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hunters are advised that the licensed individual that harvested the sheep or the individual that picked up the sheep head or horns must accompany the head to the office. It is recommended that hunters call before coming in to be sure a qualified person is on hand to register and plug their sheep. If this is not done, the individual should be prepared to wait for what could be a while to have horns plugged, as most Game and Fish personnel are in the field this time of year working seasons.

For more information regarding bighorn sheep registration, plugging, or interstate game tagging, contact the local Game and Fish office at (307) 332-2688 or visit the Game and Fish web page at http://gf.state.wy.us.

September 21, 2007
BOAT OPERATORS URGED TO AVOID ALCOHOL

Boaters are reminded that enforcement officers from the Game and Fish Department and the will patrol Wyoming waters and enforce boating laws during the long Memorial Day weekend. The officers will specifically be on the lookout for boaters operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol and checking to see if there is a Coast Guard approved lifejackets for each person onboard. Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary will assist Game and Fish officers.

In 2006, Game and Fish enforcement officers wrote 456 citations and 587 warnings for boating violations. “BUI (boating under the influence) violations are a big concern,” said Carol Havlik, Boating Law Administrator for Game and Fish. She said there is a connection between boating, summer holiday weekends, and alcohol. Data from Wyoming and Colorado show 22 percent of all boating accidents occur during holidays, and 15 percent of fatal boating accidents had alcohol as a contributing factor. Fines for a BUI can range from $400 to $900 or more. While most BUIs in the state occur at Glendo Reservoir during the Fourth of July holiday, there were two BUI citations written during last year’s Memorial Day holiday.
In 2006 there were 179 citations written to Wyoming boaters for lifejacket violations. State law requires a Coast Guard approved life jacket be present for each person onboard. In the Western United State, 70 percent of boating fatalities are due to drowning, with capsizing and falls overboard causing most of the deaths.

Havlik said Wyoming’s wind often causes boats to capsize and stressed the importance of life jackets in such situations. Unfortunately, in 20 percent of the fatal accidents that occurred in Wyoming there were no life jackets anywhere on board.

Parents are encouraged to make children wear lifejackets at all times while on a boat. “Adults can choose not to wear a life jacket but it is irresponsible to not put one on kids who may not be aware of the risks,” Havlik said. Studies have shown that children under age 6 do not have the physical ability or motor skills to don a life jacket if they are already submerged in the water, and children under age 12 cannot put a life jacket on correctly during a stressful situation. The water temperature can add to the problem because falling into cold water can trigger a reflexive ‘gasp’ that can cause a person to inhale water and ultimately drown.

Ensuring that you have the correct number of properly fitting life jackets onboard and avoiding alcohol consumption while operating a boat can help the majority of boaters avoid a violation this holiday weekend. “Wear a life jacket and have a designated operator. “Don’t ruin your holiday by spending the weekend in jail,” Havlik said.

September 19, 2007
GAME & FISH SEEKS INFO ON POACHED DEER

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department seeks information on a trophy mule deer that was poached in a closed hunting area. The buck was found dead on Sept. 16 on the 2100 block of South Cedar in Casper, an area that is not open to hunting. An investigation of the carcass revealed a bullet entry wound on the lower quarter of the animal.

The buck, which has a memorable non-typical rack, has been seen hanging out with several other bucks in the area in recent months. “This was a trophy deer that a lot of people have seen,” said Shawn Blajszczak, wildlife technician in the Casper Game and Fish office. Blajszczak said he hopes someone who may have information on the crime or witnessed suspicious activity in the area will call (307) 473-3425. “This is the worst type of poaching we see; someone shoots an animal like this and leaves it to suffer and die,” he said.
Anyone with tips about this or other wildlife crimes can also call the Stop Poaching tip line at 877-WGFD-TIP. Blajszczak encourages anyone calling the tip line to be alert and gather as much specific information about a violation as possible. “Try to document the date, time, location and specific nature of the violation. Include a physical description of the suspected violator or include contact information if possible, as well as a license plate number and description of any vehicles involved in the incident.” In 2006, 563 tips were reported to the tip line, resulting in 68 citations and more than $73,000 in fines. Informants can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

September 19, 2007
PLPW ACCESS PROGRAM PROVIDES HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES

For nearly ten years, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Private Lands Public Wildlife Access Program has provided hunters with access to private and landlocked public lands. This fall, the program will provide hunters with access to over 145,000 acres of Hunter Management Areas (HMA) and nearly 58,000 acres of Walk-in Areas throughout the Big Horn Basin.

Hunter management areas are composed of one or several large ranches that enter into an agreement with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department to allow free hunting access. In turn, the Department takes on the responsibility of managing the hunters by issuing permission slips to eligible hunters prior to hunting. Walk-in Areas are private lands open to species-specific hunting opportunities. Permission slips are not required; the hunter simply goes hunting.

In return for providing public hunting access, landowners can place certain restrictions on using the areas and it is the responsibility of the hunter to read and understand the special rules. “What roads can be used, what species can be hunted, or what dates the area is open are all examples of special rules that often apply,” said Cody Access Coordinator Dan Smith.

Special rules are designed to allow landowners to continue their daily operations during the hunting season and as a way to manage the increase in people and vehicle traffic on their private lands. Smith uses a locally popular HMA as an example—the Carter Mountain HMA south of Cody.

“Annually, nearly 400 permission slips are issued to antelope, deer and elk hunters, quite a large number of hunters,” Smith said. According to Smith, the landowner requested that only a portion of the HMA open on October 1, with the remainder opening on November 1. “It is my duty to enforce the rule and hunters entering the closed portion of the HMA prior to the agreed upon opening date with the landowner may be charged with trespassing,” Smith added.

On Walk-in Areas, landowners specify which species may be hunted and those species are listed in the Walk-In Area Atlas, which is available at all license selling agents and Department offices. Hunters may hunt other species but they must obtain written permission from the landowner. All activities other than hunting also require landowner permission as it is beyond the Department’s agreement with the landowner.

Smith noted that future private land access opportunities depend on the behavior of the hunters. “If hunters fail to follow the rules the landowner has established, the area may not be open in future years. Give the landowner the respect you would want given to you,” Smith said.

Additional information about Hunter Management Areas or Walk-in Areas can be obtained by calling the Department’s Telephone Information Center (307)-777-4600, or clicking on Public Access on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website at http://gf.state.wy.us

September 17, 2007
SHERIDAN COUNTY MOOSE POACHING

Moose hunt area number one, located in the northern Bighorn Mountains, is one of the most highly sought after areas to hunt trophy moose in the state. Moose hunters and those who simply enjoy viewing wildlife in natural settings had something stolen from them recently, when a bull moose was poached.

Sometime on September 9, 2007, a bull moose was shot west of Burgess Junction. Poachers took the antlers, cape and a small portion of the back straps of the animal leaving the remainder of the meat to rot. The animal was not salvageable by the time the report was received by wildlife law enforcement.

Dayton Game Warden Alan Osterland, who investigated the incident says, “Moose hunt area number one is a premier moose hunting area. Poachers stole this animal from hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike. That this magnificent animal was wasted has infuriated area sports persons who have been calling to report the violation.”

Osterland feels the bull may have been feeding in the area for a period of time before it was killed and is hoping that the animal may have been photographed prior to its demise. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking anyone who may have photographed any bull moose in the area of the headwaters of the North Tongue River or with any information about this case to call Osterland at 655-9495, the Sheridan Regional Office at 672-7418 or the new Stop Poaching number 877-943-3847 (877-WGFD TIP). Callers may remain anonymous. Anyone offering information leading to the arrest of the person or persons committing this crime may be eligible for an up to a $5,000 reward.

August 4, 2007
NEW POACHING HOTLINE EASY TO REMEMBER

Wildlife violators beware – the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has a new Stop Poaching tip line designed to help crack down on illegal hunting and fishing activities in the state. The new number, 877-WGFD-TIP, will handle wildlife violation tips in a more efficient manner.

“We wanted a new number that was easy to remember so hunters and anglers out in the field could report violations immediately,” explains Mike Choma, the department’s Wildlife Law Enforcement Supervisor. The 877-WGFD-TIP number has been active for several weeks, but the old number will remain active for a while as well, to ensure no violator goes unreported.

The Stop Poaching tip line has proven helpful at catching those who would choose to circumvent Wyoming’s wildlife regulations. In 2006, 563 tips were reported through the tip line. Based on these tips, the Game and Fish issued citations to 68 defendants and closed 65 cases, resulting in $73,450 in fines paid by violators. More than $2,800 in rewards was paid to informants using the Stop Poaching tip line. Informants can remain anonymous.

In addition to wildlife crimes, citizens are encouraged to report illegal transportation or introduction of fish. “Some unethical anglers want to fish their favorite fishing hole and catch their favorite species, regardless if the water is suitable for that species or not,” explains Pete Cavalli, a fisheries biologist in Pinedale.
Last year, the Game and Fish discovered the burbot, an eel-like fish that is native to the Big Horn and Tongue River drainages in northern Wyoming, were illegally introduced into the waters west of the Continental divide. “Our concern here is two-fold,” says Cavalli. “First, our native fish (trout, whitefish and nongame species) in the Green and New Fork River drainages will have to compete with juvenile burbot for food and space, and then also avoid being eaten by larger burbot.”

Choma encourages all citizens to be alert and gather as much specific information about the violation as possible. “Try to document the date, time, location and specific nature of the violation,” says Choma. “Call 877-WGFD-TIP to report the incident. Include a physical description of the suspected violator or include contact information if possible, as well as a license plate number and description of any vehicles involved in the incident.”

June, 2007
BEAR SHOT ON PRIVATE RESIDENCE NEAR LANDER

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding the public that bears are becoming active this time of year, and residents in areas known to have populations of bears are reminded to “Be Bear Aware.”
A black bear known to have been damaging private property was shot and killed by a private citizen at a residence up Sinks Canyon Road Saturday, June 9th.

“The bear was a young male in very poor physical condition,” said Bear Management Officer Brian DeBolt. “Reports filtering in indicate the bear had been getting into grain and trash at other homes in the area. Situations like these could be avoided with proper storage of attractants and frequent communication among residents that live in areas known to support a lot of wildlife.”

“Simple practices carried out every day like putting up pet food and bird seed, properly storing grain, and storing garbage in bear-proof containers can really reduce conflicts with bears,” said DeBolt. “Anything with a scent can attract bears, from oil and paint to citronella candles and grills that aren’t properly cleaned or stored. Keeping these attractants out of the reach of bears is the best way to prevent situations like this one.”

The bear was shot in hunt area 13, which closed May 21st when the quota of three female bears was reached. An investigation was performed, and although the hunting season had closed, the black bear was shot legally, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Statute 23-3-115. The statute states that the owner, employee of the owner, or lessee of private property may immediately take a black bear or other specific species doing damage to private property. Other species include mountain lion, bobcat, weasel, badger, squirrels, or muskrat. The statue requires that the nearest game warden be immediately notified, the skin to be saved and cared for, and a Wyoming game tag to be procured for the killing of black bear, bobcat, or mountain lion. This statue does not include grizzly bear or gray wolf.

“Most of the time leaving the bear alone and immediately contacting Game and Fish is the best solution,” said Regional Wildlife Supervisor Kent Schmidlin. “A bear that has become conditioned to human food is difficult and sometimes impossible to rehabilitate. The Department is available to offer assistance whenever needed and strives to minimize conflicts like this one.”

For more information on preventing conflicts with bears visit or call the local Game and Fish office at 332-2688 or visit our web site at http://gf.state.wy.us.

May 22, 2007
G&F CHECKS FOR SAFE WATERCRAFT USE

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding everyone to boat “smart”.

Game and Fish Wildlife Technicians Jacob Kettley and Ryan Kenneda are working local reservoirs to make sure watercraft and area waters are safe for everyone.

Kettley says watercraft safety inspections are very simple. He and Kenneda are looking for three things.
“We identify ourselves to the watercraft users, check their fishing licenses and boat registration, and then ask them to show us one life jacket that fits properly for each person on board, a working fire extinguisher and, if their watercraft is 16 feet or more, we ask for a throwable device,” Kettley said.

Wyoming law requires that a suitable coast guard approved life jacket must be available and accessible for each person on board. In addition, one coast guard approved throwable flotation device is required for most boats. Wyoming law also requires fire extinguishers on most types of watercraft.

While it is early, Kenneda and Kettley have already witnessed a fair amount of watercraft violations, but say, by far, lack of a throwable flotation device is the most common violation.

“Most people proudly show us that they have multiple personal flotation devices, or life jackets, on board, but some look rather perplexed when we ask to see their throwable device,” Kenneda says. “Most boaters think that just having these required items is good enough Unfortunately, they are dead wrong.”

“ I have seen many boats with life jackets stuffed away where they would be inaccessible if something were to happen. I have seen throwable cushions with the throw rope wrapped around the cushion, making them difficult to throw accurately when the need arises, and there is so little time to save someone who has fallen in cold water. All watercraft users must remember to keep their life jackets and throwable flotation devices accessible to everyone on board.”

Kenneda adds it is extremely important to tell the occupants of your boat where everything is located in case of an emergency.

“Boat operators need to take responsibility for themselves and their passengers. That means informing everybody where the safety equipment is located, especially life jackets, how to start the boat if you become unable to, and where the fire extinguisher is located. Unfortunately, many boaters neglect this responsibility and that spells trouble. Smart boating saves lives. Maybe it will be yours next time.”

Kenneda and Kettley also have a message for personal watercraft users.

“In 2006 we wrote multiple citations for people on Jet Skis for jumping waves, playing “chicken” and traveling way too close to other watercraft,” Kenneda says. “Some Jet Ski and Wave Runner users were cited for not wearing their life jackets and others cited because they were not old enough to be operating a jet ski. Before you go out to have fun make sure you know what the laws are. We want you to have fun, but more than that, we want you to be safe.”

Some states, like Colorado and Utah, allow younger jet skiers to operate personal watercraft (PWC) under direct supervision of an adult upon completion of a PWC Education Course. Wyoming does not have a PWC Education Program, nor does Wyoming recognize the PWC certificates from other states.

Watercraft users also encounter severe weather conditions that can make matters very serious in a hurry if you are a boater.

“Each year we encounter boats with engine trouble which have to be towed into shore,” Kenneda said. “Severe weather, lightning, rain and wave surges can come up very fast on the water. If your boat motor quits and a storm approaches you need to be prepared for the worst.”

Kenneda, who has spent the past three summers doing watercraft enforcement, and Kettley, in his first year of watercraft enforcement, do a lot more than write citations. They do a lot of watercraft education.
“Writing citations is not our goal,” Kenneda says. “A lot of what we do is education. We explain to people what they should be looking for when they chose a life jacket, throwable device or fire extinguisher, so that when the time comes for them to need this equipment, it works the way it was intended to and they will be safe.”

Watercraft enforcement officers across the state will be out “in force” over the holiday weekend and watercraft users should anticipate watercraft safety inspections on their watercraft, as well as being asked for fishing licenses and boat registration.

Wyoming law also prohibits watercraft users to operate any watercraft under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

Boaters can pick up a copy of the 2006-2007 Wyoming Watercraft Regulations at any regional office of the Game and Fish and most license vendors.

April 4, 2007
ANTLER GATHERING REQUIRES ETHICS

Collecting shed antlers is both big business and a favorite recreational activity for many residents and nonresidents alike, but not everyone respects the very animals providing the income and recreational opportunity.

There are no antler hunting seasons in Wyoming, however, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department urges all antler hunters to avoid moving elk and deer while the animals are on their winter ranges, especially when deep snows or cold temperatures persist. Some Game and Fish and U.S. Forest Service winter range areas are closed to all human activity during the winter and spring.

Rock Springs game warden Dave Hays says this spring’s antler search looks like October, with hunters heading out all loaded up for a big game hunting trip.

“I am seeing caravans of trucks and trailers loaded with four wheelers headed out of town,” Hays said. “A lot of these guys are headed out to big game winter range in search of antlers and a ride on the four wheeler. There is nothing wrong with that, but there are both legal and ethical concerns.”

Wyoming law specifies naturally shed antlers and antelope horns do not require Wyoming Interstate Game Tags, nor does the Game and Fish need to be notified when they are found. All bighorn sheep horns picked up must be reported to the Game and Fish within 15 days for registration, plugging and interstate game tagging.

Hays explains the law is very simple. “The words naturally shed are the key here,” he said. “When someone finds a skull with the antlers still attached they must contact a Game and Fish law enforcement officer as soon as possible and arrangements must be made to game tag the antlers. This same procedure applies to road-killed animals.

Depending on the situation, the person finding a skull with antlers attached may or may not be allowed to keep the antlers.”

The laws are in place because of unscrupulous antler collectors poaching big game animals, stashing their antlers or horns and returning later to collect them. In addition, some chase big game on their winter ranges, depleting the animals’ energy reserves and, in some cases, moving the animals onto less-productive habitat.

"When someone finds a dead buck or bull in the field, they have stumbled upon a potential crime scene and it is my responsibility to investigate that crime scene,” Hays said. “If that same individual cuts the head off of the carcass before notifying us of their discovery, the crime scene is compromised and chances of apprehending the poacher or poachers is lessened.

“ As soon as possible means just that. Most people carry a cell phone. If they don’t have a cell phone they need to leave those attached antlers alone until they can get to a phone and contact an officer. Failing to notify us is a violation we strictly enforce.”

Information on Game and Fish winter closures can be found on our web site http://gf.state.wy.us. Once there, click on the Public Access tab, then the GF Public Access tab and finally the Wildlife Habitat Management Area tab. Contact the USFS for information on closures on their lands.

December 8, 2006
THIRD AND FINAL CONVICTION FOR ANTLER-HUNGRY POACHERS

Exactly one year to the day after three Rock Springs men were nabbed for killing two trophy mule deer bucks to get their antlers, the last of the three poachers pled guilty in Sublette County circuit court and was sentenced.

Green River game warden Duane Kerr says two of the suspects pled guilty in November of this year, but charges were pending on the third man.

“In November, John D. May, 42, was charged with two counts of accessory before or after the fact for taking antlered deer during a closed season,” Kerr said. “His brother, Mike May, 38, was charged with one count of taking antlered deer during a closed season, one count of accessory to taking antlered deer during a closed season and waste of edible portions of a game animal. On December 3, Jerry Harris, 31, was charged with one count of taking antlered deer during a closed season, one count of accessory to taking antlered deer during a closed season and waste of edible portions of a game animal.”

On December 3, 2006, four game wardens were investigating two trophy buck mule deer that had been shot and left near Buckskin Crossing on the Big Sandy River southeast of Pinedale. By December 4, with the help of two additional game wardens, three suspects, all from Rock Springs, had been identified and were eventually charged in the poaching incident.

According to statements from the men, Jerry Harris and John May were in the Buckskin Crossing area on November 28, 2006. Harris shot a four-point buck deer with a .204 Ruger rifle and finished it off with a 7mm Weatherby belonging to John May. The deer was left at the site. On Dec. 2, 2006, John and Mike May were in the same area and Mike May shot a large six by seven-point buck using a .338 Magnum. Just after the shooting they observed a Game and Fish vehicle nearby and fled the area returning to Rock Springs. That same evening the men contacted Harris and the three men returned to collect the antlers from both deer.
The case began when game warden Brad Gibb, who was in the area as part of a winter range enforcement task force, observed John May’s vehicle in the general area the morning of Dec. 2 and got a partial license plate number. Gibb saw the vehicle again at the scene of one of the dead deer just before dusk and, along with game warden Brad Hovinga, began a search for the vehicle after it fled the area. Gibb returned to the area at daylight the next morning and discovered the dead deer and that the suspect vehicle had been back to the area after dark.

Wardens Duane Kerr and Scott Werbelow assisted with investigating the dead deer. Warden Brian Nesvik checked the deer carcasses for bullet evidence. While the wardens were investigating, a concerned citizen informed them of a second deer with no antlers nearby.

Using the partial license number, state radio dispatchers were able to come up with a list of possible matching vehicles, and on December 4 John May’s vehicle was located and determined to be the suspect vehicle based on tire tread and items observed in the vehicle. With that information, the officers obtained search warrants and were able to find the firearms used to kill the bucks, the antlers and the saw used to take the antlers. Warden Ryan Kenneda and officers from the Rock Springs Police Department assisted with these efforts. Firearm and ballistic evidence later examined at the Wyoming State Crime Lab helped confirm the suspects’ involvement.

Following their eventual guilty pleas, the men were fined $10,000 each with $7,000 each suspended, so each will pay $3,000 fines. Restitution of $4,000 for each deer was split three ways, so each will pay $2,666 to the Game and Fish for loss of the deer. Each was sentenced to two years in jail, which was suspended, as long as each completes two years of unsupervised probation with no game or fish related violations. Each received two five-year suspensions of game and fish license privileges.

Mike May and Jerry Harris will have consecutive suspensions for a total of 10 years loss of privileges. John May’s suspensions run concurrently for a total of five years loss of privileges. Each of the three (three what?) used in the incident and those firearms were forfeited to the Game and Fish by the court.

“We hope these severe penalties will help show that poaching of any wildlife is not something taken lightly by the courts or by the people of Wyoming,” Kerr said. “It took a whole, long year to bring this case to an end. Good teamwork. Good investigative skills. A timely report from a concerned citizen and cooperation with the Rock Springs Police Department and Sublette County were key to solving this case and charging these men with what they deserve.”

Anyone with information about any wildlife violation should call the local game warden or the STOP Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD TIP (943-3847).