In the Press Release for 04/23/2004 issue:

SHERIDAN GAME WARDEN, G&F FORENSICS LAB HONORED BY GAME WARDEN’S ASSOCIATION
SYBILLE EDUCATION CENTER CLOSED FOR 2004
UINTA COUNTY BUSINESSMAN TO JOIN GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
G&F COMMISSION CONDUCTING TRAINING APRIL 25
G&F Calendar
ASK THE GAME & FISH

SHERIDAN GAME WARDEN, G&F FORENSICS LAB HONORED BY GAME WARDEN’S ASSOCIATION

SHERIDAN – A veteran game warden advocating the hunter’s perspective and the Game and Fish Department’s Forensic Laboratory have been honored by the Wyoming Game Warden’s Association.

          Sheridan Game Warden Terry Cram was named the association’s 2003 “Officer of the Year.”  The “Support Person of Year” was presented to G&F Laboratory Supervisor Tom Moore and his staff of Dee Dee Hawk, Kim Sargeant and Scott Sharpe. The awards were presented April 3 at the association’s convention in Sheridan.

                “Terry is a people person and he has built and maintained excellent relationships with landowners, anglers, hunters and fellow coworkers,” said Rick Pallister, Buffalo game warden. “In this context, he is almost a legend, and holds a place of affection and respect in the Sheridan community.” 

                Cram is a Snohomish, Wash. native. He attended Laramie County Community College before earning a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from UW.

                Pallister and Gillette Game Warden Bruce Scigliano also cited Cram for “enforcing laws and regulations with compassion,” promoting public access and simplifying regulations. “In department discussions of regulations and actions, Terry is the voice of the hunter,” Scigliano said.

Prior to transferring to Sheridan in April 1978, the 30-year veteran patrolled the Gillette District for two years. He also served as a warden trainee in Sundance and a fisheries biologist aide in Laramie.

Professionally and efficiently analyzing poaching evidence for wildlife enforcement not only in Wyoming , but for other states, too, earned the support award for the forensics laboratory staff.

“Once violators and their attorneys are aware of the forensic lab results on an investigation, many of the cases reach an agreeable plea bargain prior to court,” said John Demaree, G&F investigator in Laramie. “For cases which go the route, court testimony of the lab personnel greatly aids in the successful prosecution of those violators.”

Demaree applauds the lab’s expert and pioneering DNA analysis and hair identification in often producing the break that brings many cases to conviction. 

    The association presents both awards at their annual spring meeting.

-WGFD-

SYBILLE EDUCATION CENTER CLOSED FOR 2004

LARAMIE -- Tight budgets and repair needs will keep the Game and Fish Department’s Sybille Education Center closed this summer.

                For the last 13 years, the Sybille Education Center, located on Wyoming Highway 34 between Laramie and Wheatland, has provided visitors the opportunity to learn about Wyoming’s wildlife and the issues that impact them, but this year the center will be closed while the G&F makes repairs and determine the long term fate of the education center.

“The department’s current funding situation has impacted our ability to staff the Sybille Education Center,” says Michelle Zitek, the G&F’s Laramie region information specialist. “Last summer’s flash flood through Sybille Canyon destroyed the bridge to the nature trail. There is also minor structural damage to the building. These things need to be addressed before we reopen the center.”

In addition to addressing short-term repairs, a long-term evaluation will be conducted. “Although the education center averages about 5,000 visitors each summer, with tight budgets the G&F must carefully weigh the cost of every program,” says Zitek. “Funding for wildlife management continues to be borne by hunters and anglers and wildlife education is just one small part of the Department’s mission.”

Wolves, sage grouse, chronic wasting disease, brucellosis and nongame concerns are a few of the new challenges that managers are facing. As issues have grown, the G&F has continued to struggle with stretching hunter and angler dollars to address the most pressing needs.

                “No other facility is in a location that allows the public the opportunity to see wild animals in close proximity, while learning from a professional about wildlife, research needs and how the department manages the resource,” says Zitek. “This will be a loss, but we have carefully considered all or our options for this season and believe this is the responsible thing to do.”

-WGFD-

UINTA COUNTY BUSINESSMAN TO JOIN GAME AND FISH COMMISSION

CHEYENNE -- Gov. Dave Freudenthal has appointed Wyoming native and longtime Uinta County resident Bruce A. Benedict to join the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.

                Benedict fills the term of Doyle Dorner, who recently stepped down with almost one year left to serve in order to accept a job transfer. The seat will open again for appointment and rotate to another district in March 2005, when the original term expires.

                The 34-year-old Republican is the secretary and treasurer for Benedict Trading Company, a family-owned retail grocery, hardware store and hunting and fishing license agent in Bridger Valley, and also operates a small yearling cattle operation with his family. Benedict graduated from Mountain View High School in 1987 before going on to study retail and technical sales at Weber State University.

                “I look forward to the opportunity to serve on the Game and Fish Commission,” he said. “A chance to do so is a great honor, and I'm excited about the challenges ahead it will bring.”

“I was born and raised in Uinta County and have enjoyed being involved in our community all of my life,” Benedict continued. “As a local businessman, sportsman, and agriculture producer, I look forward to bringing to the table the perspectives of our area sportsmen and agriculture producers. At the same time, I also look forward to being a part of maintaining and continuing the best possible wildlife regulations and standards for our county as well as our state.”

                Gov. Dave Freudenthal said he was extremely pleased to have the opportunity to appoint Benedict to the commission. Among his other qualifications, Benedict is very familiar with current G&F regulations and operations because of his capacity as a license retailer.

                “Bruce is both extremely knowledgeable and extremely fair-minded when it comes to Game and Fish policy,” Freudenthal said. “I am confident he will represent Uinta County well and will be a great addition to the commission.”

                The G&F serves as the policy-making board of the G&F, providing an adequate and flexible system of control, propagation, management, protection and regulation of all wildlife in the state.

-WGFD-

G&F COMMISSION CONDUCTING TRAINING APRIL 25

CHEYENNE  -- The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has scheduled a special meeting for Sunday, April 25, 4 p.m. at the Game and Fish Department’s Casper Regional Office, 3030 Energy Lane.

Items to be discussed during this open session will relate to New Commissioner Training for Commissioner Bruce Benedict from Mountain View. The meeting is open to the public.

-WGFD-

G&F Calendar

April 24 – G&F “Welcome Wagon” orientation to Wyoming hunting and fishing, Gillette, 9 a.m. Campbell Co. Library.

April 26-27 – G&F Commission meeting, Casper G&F Office.

April 28 – Bear and Mountain Lion Seminar, Jackson, Snow King Resort, 6:30 – 9 p.m.

May 1 – Kid’s Fishing Derby, Yesness Pond in Casper. Registration 9:30 a.m. Call Jan Milek at (800) 842-1934 for info.

May 1-2 – Deer mortality surveys near Cokeville and Big Piney. Volunteers welcome. Call (307) 367-4353 for more info.

May 1-31 – Resident application period for limited quota elk, deer and antelope licenses.

May 4 – Lecture by L. David Mech, famous wolf researcher, Lander, 7 p.m., Pronghorn Lodge.

May 5 -- Lecture by L. David Mech, famous wolf researcher, Cheyenne, 7 p.m., Plains Hotel.

May 15 – All turkey areas close except area 4.

May 15 – Deadline for Wyoming teenagers to apply for G&F Conservation Youth Camp.

-WGFD-

ASK THE GAME & FISH

Q. “With the resident application period fast approaching, I was wondering if it is best to apply for a reduced-price elk license in the drawing or can I wait and purchase one as a leftover?” 

A. You can purchase the reduced price cow/calf elk license as a leftover providing some remain following the drawing. However, be aware that many areas draw out so there are no leftovers.  If you know your hunting plans and are counting on getting a reduced price license, your best chance is through the drawing.  Although many areas for other species are not as competitive for licenses as for elk, the same advice applies for reduced price deer and antelope licenses. The application period for resident elk, deer and antelope is May 1-31.

-WGFD-