In the Press Release for 09/19/2003 issue:
 SHIRLEY BASIN FERRETS ALIVE AND WELL; AUGUST SURVEYS TALLY OVER 50
HUNTERS ASKED TO DROP SAGE AND BLUE GROUSE WINGS IN BARRELS
FIRE BAN LIFTED ON G&F LANDS SEPT. 20
THE MARSH IS RESERVED FOR KIDS SEPT. 20 AND SEPT. 27 IN WYOMING
PLEASE COVER YOUR GAME
GOVERNOR ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF G&F DIRECTOR
G&F Calendar
ASK THE GAME & FISH
SHIRLEY BASIN FERRETS ALIVE AND WELL; AUGUST SURVEYS TALLY OVER 50
MEDICINE BOW - There’s a sure way to add some excitement to the all-night duty of squinting weary-eyed through binoculars - spot North America’s most endangered mammal.
To make two weeks of graveyard shift duty in the Shirley Basin between Medicine Bow and Casper race by - spot over 50 black-footed ferrets in the area of the weasel-like animals’ first reintroduction to the wild .
The results of the first surveys in the area since 2001 even surpassed the most optimistic biologist’s predictions. "We were more than pleasantly surprised," said Game and Fish Department Nongame Mammal Biologist Martin Grenier of the Aug. 12-14 and 25-29 surveys. "In fact, we were overjoyed at the tally."
Grenier also organized and led the August 2001 surveys, which tallied 19 ferrets. Surveys in August 2000 discovered 15 and five were spotted in 1997 surveys.
He said surveyors spotlighting prairie dog towns from trucks and on foot discovered a minimum of 30 kits, or young of the year, from 10 litters. At least 22 adult animals were also spotted.
From 1991-94, 228 captive-bred ferrets were released in the Shirley Basin in the first reintroduction of the species following successful captive breeding at the G&F’s Sybille Wildlife Research Center.
"When you look at the bottlenecks of disease, drought and flash floods this population has endured and overcome, this year’s discovery helps confirm that the Shirley Basin is very suitable habitat for black-footed ferrets," Grenier said.
He said his crew of 16 spotlighters surveyed less than 10 percent of the 140,000-plus-acre white-tailed prairie dog complex. Combined with research showing adult male ferrets often go undetected during surveys, Grenier is confident many more ferrets are likely to inhabit the area.
Grenier reports the prairie dogs, which black-footed ferrets are dependent on for food and burrows, appear to be more abundant this year in the Shirley Basin. The increase is likely the result of improved spring moisture and grass growth.
"More prey in the form of prairie dogs means more black-footed ferrets," he said.
In conjunction with the suitable habitat, Grenier cites the cooperation of the Heward, Q, TB, Ellis and Difficulty ranches for getting the endangered species established in the Shirley Basin.
"First of all, the initial reintroduction would not have been possible without the consent of these folks because the area is a mixture of public and private land," he said. "The ranches have continued to open their gates to us so we can determine how the reintroduction is progressing, and our continued relationships are a major reason for long-term success of the program."
Because it is reintroduced, the Shirley Basin black-footed ferrets are classified as an "experimental population," meaning there are no public or private land-use restrictions in the area as a result of the federally endangered animal being present.
Grenier also credits Prairie Wildlife Research with their financial and manpower support for the Shirley Basin and other black-footed ferret reintroductions. The Wall, S.D. based nonprofit organization is dedicated to enhancing working relationships between private landowners and endangered species.
It was feared by some biologists that black-footed ferrets were extinct before a colony was discovered near Meeteetse in 1981. When the colony was drastically depleted by canine distemper, remaining ferrets were trapped as brood stock for a captive-breeding program that began at the G&F’s Sybille Wildlife Research Center and was later transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Following Shirley Basin, the endangered animal has also been reintroduced to sites in Arizona, Montana,
South Dakota, along the Colorado/Utah border and Mexico.
-WGFD-
(Radio News Director: Grenier is pronounced GREN - yay.)
-WGFD-
HUNTERS ASKED TO DROP SAGE AND BLUE GROUSE WINGS IN BARRELS
CHEYENNE -- Hunters may often be heard "grousing" about the weather or a missed opportunity, but there should be no objections to helping the Game and Fish Department collect information on the current status of Wyoming’s sage grouse.
Sage and blue grouse hunters are urged to drop one wing from each bird in barrels placed on hunting routes across the state.
Kevin Hurley, the G&F’s wildlife management coordinator in Cody, says the size of the wing determines if the bird is male or female, and if it is an adult or juvenile. Each year a grouse replaces its wing feathers through molting.
"Hens that raise a brood of young have a delayed molt, therefore biologists are able to tell how successful the hatch was this year," said Hurley.
Feather replacement is also used to backdate chick wings. With a large enough sample, backdating allows biologists to determine the peak hatching period.
In Sublette, Fremont, southern Lincoln and northern Uinta counties, hunters are alerted to the possibility of bagging a sage grouse wearing a radio transmitter. Hunters are also asked to turn in the transmitter, along with harvest location.
An estimated 4,800 sage grouse and 13,900 blue grouse were harvested in Wyoming last year. "We’d like to increase our sample of wings from this harvest," Hurley said.
West Nile Virus, a disease known to afflict horses and humans was recently identified as the cause of death of 11 sage grouse near Gillette, prompting the G&F to close the season in Campbell, Sheridan and Johnson counties. The Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory urges hunters to follow the long-standing advice of cooking game meat, including birds, thoroughly and to wear rubber gloves while cleaning all game.
Some G&F personnel will be collecting blood and organs from field-checked sage grouse during the Sept. 27 to Oct. 5 season. This effort will assess how widespread West Nile Virus is in sage grouse across the state.
-WGFD-
-WGFD-
FIRE BAN LIFTED ON G&F LANDS SEPT. 20
CHEYENNE - Campfires and barbecue grills are again permitted on Game and Fish Department lands beginning Sept. 20 thanks to improved moisture conditions across the Cowboy State.
G&F field personnel report recent rain and snowfall have lessened the fire danger across the state, but hunters are still cautioned to be very careful with campfires. "The forage on G&F habitat areas is critical to wintering big game," said Gary Butler, G&F habitat supervisor.
Fire bans have also been lifted on some national forests and Bureau of Land Management districts. Hunters are advised to contact the local office of federal agencies for specific fire rules.
Hunters are reminded campfires are prohibited year-round on walk-in areas and state school sections.
-WGFD-
-WGFD-
THE MARSH IS RESERVED FOR KIDS SEPT. 20 AND SEPT. 27 IN WYOMING
GREEN RIVER-Kids get the first shot.
The marsh is reserved for youth Sept. 20 in the Pacific Flyway and Zone 2 of the Central Flyway and Sept. 27 of Zone 1 of the Central Flyway, a tier of counties stretching from Torrington to Cody.
Green River Information and Education Specialist Lucy Wold says that only youth, 15 years of age and younger, may take ducks, mergansers, coots and Canada geese during the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day.
"This youth waterfowl hunt is a great way to introduce your child, niece or nephew, grandson or granddaughter to waterfowl hunting," said Wold. "There are some specific rules and regulations that still apply to this hunt. Parents and legal guardians should read the regulations before taking a youngster out for this event."
Information on the youth hunt is found on page 22 of the Wyoming 2003-2004 Late Migratory Game Bird Regulations. The regulations state that, "All youth hunters must be accompanied in the field by an adult at lease 18 years of age. No more than four youths shall be supervised by any one adult, and the adult shall not hunt and or kill ducks, coots, mergansers, or geese, but may participate in other open seasons."
Wold says bag and possession limits, license requirements and other waterfowl regulations apply to the youth day.
A Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp, also known as the "Duck Stamp," is not required for waterfowl hunters under the age of 16.
-WGFD-
-WGFD-
PLEASE COVER YOUR GAME
CHEYENNE -- Only one "hot dog" on a sports team can send the spectators home thinking the whole team was a bunch of "show offs." The same is true of hunters.
Almost everyone enjoys viewing live wildlife, but few people, especially non-hunters, like to see dead animals. That’s why the Wyoming Game and Fish Department strongly urges all big game hunters to cover their animals on the way home.
"A deer or elk strapped to a vehicle with a cigar hanging out of its mouth may seem comical to a few, but it is simply crass to most everyone else -- hunters and non-hunters alike," said Walt Gasson, G&F planning coordinator who has researched strategies to promote hunting. "If hunters care about the future of their tradition, they will take steps not to alienate the majority of society who are non-hunters, but so far are ambivalent to the sport. Covering your game during transport is one of the most important steps."
Gasson asks hunters to look beyond the outing they are on and to conduct themselves afield with their children and grandchildren in mind.
"If we want our hunting tradition to endure, we’ve got to use our heads afield and not do anything to fuel the anti-hunting movement," Gasson said.
The G&F has published a brochure of recommendations on how to act if confronted by anti-hunters. For a copy, write: Information Section, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Cheyenne, WY 82006.
-WGFD-
-WGFD-
GOVERNOR ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF G&F DIRECTOR
CHEYENNE -- Gov. Dave Freudenthal accepted the immediate resignation of Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Brent Manning at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sept. 17. Because this constitutes a personnel matter, the governor will not be discussing the details of the situation.
Manning has accepted a job with the DuPage County, Ill. Forest Preserve District.
-WGFD-
G&F Calendar
Sept. 27 - Sage grouse, Pacific Flyway and Zone 2 Central Flyway waterfowl season open. Youth waterfowl day in Zone 1 of Central Flyway.
Sept. 29 - Spring turkey hunting season meetings across the state.
Oct. 4 - Waterfowl season in Central Flyway Zone 1 opens.
Oct. 5 - Sage grouse season closes.
Nov. 3 - Written comments on spring turkey proposals must be received at G&F’s Casper Office by 5 p.m.
-WGFD-
ASK THE GAME & FISH
Q. "My 11-year-old son wants to come along with me on my big game hunts. Can he carry a .22 and hunt rabbits?"
A. You bet, as along as he’s passed hunter education. The class is required of anyone born after 1965. Also, if your son is a Wyoming resident, no license is required for small game or game bird hunting (except turkeys) until he is 14. Likewise, nonresident youth under 14 do not need a license for small game or birds, but they must be with an adult who has a small game license. No license is required for jackrabbits.
-WGFD-
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