In the Press Release 07/30/04 issue:
 G&F ASKS FOR CWD HELP: CARCASSES TO LANDFILLS AND ACCURATE REPORTING LOCATIONS
HONOR FARM INMATES WRANGLING FOR HABITAT
FIRST OF HUNTER MGT AREA APPLICATION DRAWING DEADLINES IS AUG. 4
SHERIDAN GAME WARDEN TERRY CRAM RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS OF G&F SERVICE
G&F Calendar
ASK THE GAME & FISH
G&F ASKS FOR CWD HELP: CARCASSES TO LANDFILLS AND ACCURATE REPORTING LOCATIONS
LARAMIE -- Deer and elk hunters contribute significantly to wildlife conservation efforts, but the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking them to do more this hunting season.
“We are asking hunters to do two things that they may not have done in the past,” says Bob Lanka, Laramie regional wildlife coordinator. “If hunters plan to participate in chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance, they should carefully document the harvest location. If they hunt in areas known to have CWD, they should leave the head, spine and other nervous tissue at the site of the kill or dispose of them in an approved landfill.”
The requests come on the heels of research recently completed in Colorado. One study indicates intact carcasses of deer that die of CWD, may spread the disease to healthy deer. Another suggests CWD is found within family groups, or herds of deer that band together.
“Researchers are looking, but they don’t know all of the potential routes of CWD transmission,” continues Lanka. “We can’t stop CWD in its tracks, but we are doing what we can. Intensifying communication efforts so that hunters recognize they might be able to help reduce the spread of CWD, is one thing we can do.”
“Regulations making it a crime to transport certain deer parts from one place to another have been tried in other states. These states have found that these regulations are practically unenforceable,” says Steve DeCecco, Green River regional wildlife supervisor. “We believe hunters, as some of the key contributors to wildlife, will be willing to voluntarily follow our recommendations because of their concern for the resource.”
The G&F is recommending that deer and elk hunters transport only the following items from areas where CWD is know to exist: cut and wrapped meat, boned meat, animal quarters or other pieces with no portion of the spinal column or head attached, hides without the head, cleaned skull plates (no meat or nervous tissue attached), antlers with no meat or other tissue attached. The head, spine, and other nervous tissue should be left at the site of the kill or disposed of in an approved landfill.
The G&F is trying to follow-up on the other study by soliciting more exact location data from hunters. “In order for us to get a better understanding of the distribution of this disease, we need hunters to provide us with accurate harvest locations. Hunters can provide a tremendous amount of help by saving harvest locations on their GPS or providing a legal description such as range, township and section. With more information on disease distribution, we may be able to use a couple of different techniques to determine how well the disease is established in a particular area, and perhaps develop management techniques to reduce prevalence,” says Hank Edwards, a wildlife disease specialist in charge of testing and mapping CWD data.
The G&F will continue to do statewide CWD surveillance this fall. Employees will be collecting lymph nodes at many of the locations used last year.
“Our focus this year will be on collecting quality data,” says Edwards. “We will decrease efforts in areas that have had CWD for a number of years, and increase efforts around the leading edge.”
-WGFD-
HONOR FARM INMATES WRANGLING FOR HABITAT
CODY -- They call themselves the Wyoming Fire Wranglers. The 21 men and four crew bosses are in-state firefighters -- and most are inmates of the Wyoming Honor Farm near Riverton.
When they’re not fighting fires for the state Forestry Division, they are busy doing public service work for nonprofit entities. Working with the Forestry Division and the Department of Corrections, the Game and Fish Department found an economically feasible way to complete two important projects by using the Wranglers.
Recently, the Wranglers spent 10 days clearing and thinning trees and brush along access areas on the Big Horn River and cutting a firebreak on the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area.
"We had a need,” said Steve Ronne, G&F habitat and access maintenance supervisor in Cody. “The Wranglers were looking for an opportunity to train new crew members. So we partnered up and completed the two projects, a win-win situation for everyone.
“Some of the hunting and fishing access areas along the Big Horn had become so overgrown that getting to the river was difficult, causing trespass problems for nearby landowners. The crew came in and thinned the access areas at virtually no cost to us and they really did a nice job."
At Yellowtail the Wranglers cut a firebreak about 100 feet wide by a half-mile long through a dense stand of Russian olive trees and snowberry.
These projects have obvious habitat benefits, but there is a hidden benefit as well, according to Skye Shaw, forestry program manager at the Honor Farm.
"The purpose of the Fire Wrangler program is to build individual respect along with meaningful work and physical exercise. Each person can gain respect and dignity by working together as a team; they care about each other," said Shaw.
Firefighting is difficult and dangerous work and takes skill. "Working at Yellowtail really helped the crew. It was great training for summer firefighting," said Shaw.
He added that most of the crew is working its way back into society. "Rehabilitation is the goal, and they earn it." said Shaw.
The majority of the inmates felt the same. Most believe that being a member of the Wranglers is a privilege. They feel useful, human and part of a team. Some even hope to become firefighters when they get out.
Inmates have been used for public service since the 1950s. However, the fire crew is just three years old. The crew has a high turnover rate, which requires continuous training.
The Wranglers previously assisted the G&F in the spring of 2003 by taking down interior fences on the Spence-Moriarity Wildlife Habitat Management Area near Dubois. That same spring, they cleaned up several access areas on the Popo Agie River near Lander and around Lake Cameahwait north of Riverton. They also built fence on the Sand Mesa Wildlife Habitat Management Area.
(Editor: Photos available by emailing jeff.Obrecht@wgf.state.wy.us)
-WGFD-
FIRST OF HUNTER MGT AREA APPLICATION DRAWING DEADLINES IS AUG. 4
CASPER – Antelope hunters with area 37 or 44 licenses in southeast Wyoming, are alerted Aug. 4 is the deadline to apply for the drawing for a permission slip for the Monolith Ranch or Lone Tree Creek hunter management areas.
To apply, go to the Game and Fish Department Web site at and provide the necessary information. The drawing is scheduled for Aug. 6.
This is the first year some HMA permission slips are being issued by drawing. For additional information, call the G&F Access Section at (307) 473-3400.
-WGFD-
SHERIDAN GAME WARDEN TERRY CRAM RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS OF G&F SERVICE
SHERIDAN – Known for being an advocate of the hunter’s and angler’s perspective and for applying wildlife laws and regulations with compassion, veteran Sheridan Game Warden Terry Cram has retired from the Game and Fish Department.
“Terry is a people person and he has built and maintained excellent relationships with landowners, anglers, hunters and fellow coworkers,” said Rick Pallister, the G&F’s Buffalo game warden. “In this context, he is almost a legend, and holds a place of affection and respect in the Sheridan community.”
Cram began his G&F career as a fisheries biologist aide in Laramie. His permanent service started September 1974 as a game warden trainee in Gillette. He also trained in Sundance before being promoted to patrol the Gillette warden district in April 1976. In April 1978 he transferred to the Sheridan district.
Cram was honored with the 2003 “Wildlife Officer of the Year Award” from the Wyoming Game Warden’s Association.
When issuing a citation, Cram was renown for his ability to leave a good impression of the G&F and law enforcement in general with the violator.
Cram is a Snohomish, Wash. native. He attended Laramie County Community College before earning a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from UW.
Cram served in the U.S. Air Force 1966-70 reaching the rank of staff sergeant. He is a member of the First Christian Church. Cram hopes to enter politics in retirement. He is on the 2004 ballot to be a Sheridan County commissioner. He also hopes to find more time to hunt birds, fly fish and golf.
He and his wife, Chris, will continue to reside in Sheridan.
-WGFD-
G&F Calendar
Aug. 2 – Early sandhill crane deadline
Aug. 2—Deadline for special big game drawing for youth with life-threatening illnesses.
Aug. 15 – Doe/fawn antelope and deer and reduced price cow/calf elk go on sale at license agents in or near the hunt areas.
Aug. 16 – Fall turkey application period deadline.
Aug. 16 – Comment deadline for late migratory waterfowl and falconry regulations. Mail comments to WGFD, 3030 Energy Lane, Casper, WY 82604.
Sept. 1-8 – General Canada goose season in Pacific Flyway
Sept. 1 – Blue and ruffed grouse and mourning dove seasons open.
Sept. 9-10 -- G&F Commission meeting at Casper Regional Office.
Sept. 10 – Wildlife/Livestock Disease Workshop, Radisson Hotel, Casper
Sept. 10-12 Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo at Casper Events Center and nearby shooting ranges.
-WGFD-
ASK THE GAME & FISH
Q. “Due to the low water are you planning on enacting any fishing restrictions?”
A. No restrictions are planned. However the warm water is stressful to trout. Anglers who plan on releasing their catch are advised to play the fish as quickly as possible. Also, water in lakes and streams will cool overnight which means the fish will be most active in the early morning hours before the heat of the day raises water temperatures. Plan accordingly and your catch should improve.
-WGFD-
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