In the Press Release for 08/08/2003 issue:
 G&F Commission Approves Wolf Plan, But Provisions Not in Effect Yet
Comments on Application Deadline Dates and Accepting Postmarks Due Aug. 14
Fall Turkey Application Deadline Aug. 15
USFWS Cites State Work in Opting Against Westslope Cutthroat Listing
Early Sandhill Crane and Canada Goose Drawing Held
G&F Calendar
ASK THE GAME & FISH
G&F Commission Approves Wolf Plan, But Provisions Not in Effect Yet
CHEYENNE – Although delisting the gray wolf and placing it under state management came a step closer with the recent approval of the Wyoming Gray Wolf Management Plan, the animal is still protected by federal law, reports the Game and Fish Department.
With the much discussed provision of the plan which classifies wolves as predators in most of the state, the G&F has received several inquiries from citizens ready to go wolf hunting. The G&F alerts prospective wolf hunters that the G&F Commission only approved a plan that will guide state management when wolves are formally delisted. A regulation that will permit hunting will be adopted after delisting occurs.
“The wolf is still a federally protected species,” said John Emmerich, G&F assistant Wildlife Division chief. “Although the plan and the associated legislation has received considerable attention and hopefully in time will shape Wyoming wolf regulations, for now they are just steps in the process to have wolves delisted.”
The plan stipulates if more than seven wolf packs occur outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway when delisting occurs, wolves would be classified as a trophy game animal in the parks and parkway and adjoining U.S. National Forest wilderness areas. Wolves would be classified as predators in the rest of Wyoming.
If the number of wolf packs outside the parks and parkway fall to seven or fewer, the trophy game animal classification will be expanded to a larger area to ensure wolf harvest is regulated sufficiently to maintain seven packs outside the parks and parkway.
The plan allows Wyoming to maintain at least 15 packs in the state, with a commitment to manage for seven packs outside the national parks and parkway.
The Wyoming wolf plan has been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for review of adequacy. If Wyoming’s plan and Montana’s upcoming plan are considered adequate, the two plans will be submitted along with the already completed Idaho plan to an independent peer review panel of wolf managers and researchers. The panel will determine if the combined plans are adequate to maintain the current recovered wolf population in the Northern Rocky Mountain Recovery Area. If the panel determines the three plans will maintain a recovered wolf population the USFWS will propose delisting. Barring extended litigation the entire process could be completed by late summer or fall 2004
The complete plan can be viewed on the G&F’s Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us or at G&F offices.
-WGFD-
Comments on Application Deadline Dates and Accepting Postmarks Due Aug. 14
CASPER – Hunters, outfitters and other interested parties are reminded written comments about changing Wyoming’s application system to accept the postmarked date and shortening the application period must be received at the Game and Fish Department’s Casper Regional Office by 5 p.m. Aug. 14.
Comments should be sent to WGFD Regulations, 3030 Energy Lane, Casper, WY 82604.
Comprehensive changes to regulations governing G&F lands along with modifications about importing and possession of wildlife are also being proposed.
All comments by mail will be presented to the G&F Commission before they address the proposals at their Sept. 8-9 in Casper. The commission will also accept public comments at their meeting.
-WGFD-
Fall Turkey Application Deadline Aug. 15
CASPER – Hunters are reminded applications for limited quota fall turkey licenses must be received at the Game and Fish Department’s Cheyenne Office by 5 p.m. Aug. 15.
Turkey hunters are alerted that area 1 (Niobrara, Weston and Crook counties) is limited quota this fall requiring an application to be submitted.
Licenses can be purchased over the counter from the G&F’s Cheyenne, Casper and Sheridan offices and local license agents for area 3 (Sheridan and northern Johnson counties), 5 (Campbell County) and 7 (Kaycee area) through the end of the season.
Turkey licenses cost residents $10 and nonresidents $50.
Applications and regulations for fall turkey are available from G&F offices, license agents or by calling (800) 842-1934 or (307) 777-4600 out of state.
-WGFD-
USFWS Cites State Work in Opting Against Westslope Cutthroat Listing
CHEYENNE – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the westslope cutthroat trout does not warrant listing as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The FWS cited a thorough review of all available scientific information that demonstrated that abundant, stable and reproducing populations remain well distributed throughout its range.
Ralph Morgenweck, the service’s Mountain-Prairie Region director, specifically commended state wildlife agencies for a “genetics-based, comprehensive status update report” about the sub-species that inhabits the northwest United States, including western Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
“While not factored into our decision, the service acknowledges the many conservation efforts conducted by our federal and state partners on behalf of westslope cutthroat trout,” he said. “These conservation projects contribute to the certainty that westslope cutthroat trout can be conserved and preserved.”
The USFWS also cited the paper outlining conservation and management plans for cutthroat trout prepared by seven western states as useful in developing criteria for dealing with hybrid cutthroat trout stock in establishing population size. The USFWS defined a westslope cutthroat trout as having at least the genetics level at which a fish would conform to the scientifically-defined physical characteristics of that cutthroat trout subspecies.
“This decision is encouraging to the Game and Fish Department, because it acknowledges information and management actions from the various states charged with management of this species as well as the multi-state paper outlining conservation and management plans,” said Mike Stone, G&F fisheries chief.
While the specific finding on the westslope cutthroat trout may or may not be applicable to other petitioned species in Wyoming, Stone is encouraged with USFWS recognition of work done by state agencies is a major step in the right direction. “Acknowledgement of the value of state wildlife agency information is important and we encourage similar consideration in upcoming petition reviews,” Stone said.
The 90-day review of the petition for the Colorado River cutthroat trout is due to be completed soon by USFWS.
Management actions by western states, and coordination of future actions through multi-state management plans authored by affected states have been factors in maintenance of Yellowstone and Bonneville cutthroat trout and decisions that listing of these subspecies is not warranted
-WGFD-
Early Sandhill Crane and Canada Goose Drawing Held
CHEYENNE – The early sandhill crane and Canada goose drawing was held Aug. 7.
All permits were issued except for 15 Canada goose permits in area 8, the Little Snake River drainage in Carbon County. Those permits for the Sept. 1-8 season are available first-come, first-served from the Game and Fish Department Cheyenne Office.
Hunters who do not have an early crane or goose permit can also get permits for area 5, Teton County. These permits, which have an unlimited quota, are available at both the G&F’s Cheyenne and Jackson offices. The permits are free, but all waterfowl licensing regulations apply.
-WGFD-
G&F Calendar
Aug. 14 -- Deadline for written comments on above proposed regulation changes to be received by G&F Casper Office.
Aug. 15 -- Resident and nonresident fall turkey application deadline.
Aug. 15 -- Doe/fawn antelope and deer and cow/calf elk licenses go on sale at selected license agents.
Sept. 5-7-- Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo at Casper Events Center and nearby shooting ranges.
Sept. 8-9 -- G&F Commission meeting at Casper G&F Office.
-WGFD-
ASK THE GAME & FISH
Q. “Is it OK to construct a permanent blind to hunt antelope during the archery season?”
A. There certainly are no restrictions to using a blind to hunt antelope, or for that matter any other big game species. If you are hunting on public lands it is permissible to build a temporary structure, but the structure must be removed after the season. Any construction of blinds on private lands is between the hunter and landowner.
-WGFD-
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