GREEN RIVER- Royce Conway of Menifee, Calif. got himself in trouble big-time, three times: killing a deer in the wrong hunt area, killing an antelope without a license and then wasting the antelope. Even worse, he was given the opportunity to turn himself in and didn’t.

A local meat processor in Green River alerted Game and Fish Department Game Warden Duane Kerr Oct. 10 to Conway’s activities leading to the discovery of multiple violations.

"Conway dropped a deer at the processor and at that time was also in possession of an antelope carcass," said Kerr. "When asked if he wanted the antelope processed, too, Conway said he had killed the antelope by mistake. The processor gave the hunter directions to the G&F office in town and advised it would probably be of benefit to him to turn himself in."

The next day, the processor called Kerr to see if the man had turned himself in for killing the antelope and was informed he had not. The processor then told Kerr that Conway was visiting a friend in Green River and was to leave town later in the day.

Kerr located Conway and interviewed him about his hunting trip and the antelope he had killed by mistake.

"Conway said that he had killed his deer in hunt area 158 where he was licensed, but couldn’t remember the name of the town near there where he stayed. He then returned to the Rock Springs area to hunt elk in HA 32," said Kerr. "Conway said that after shooting at an elk, which ran off, he proceeded to check for sign of having hit the animal, and found a dying antelope near where the elk stood."

Realizing he had "accidentally" killed the antelope, Conway gutted the antelope and hauled it to town.

"After dropping off the deer, he thought about possibly being in trouble for the antelope, so rather than contacting the G&F, he took it back out in the hills and dumped it," Kerr added. "He not only lied to make the situation worse, he also tried to hide the carcass instead of owning up to the mistake. He has only himself to blame."

During the interview, Conway also admitted that he had killed his deer in area 102 south of Rock Springs, and had never gone to area 158 near Casper.

Conway, 44, was cited Oct. 11 for taking a deer in an area where he wasn’t licensed, taking antelope without a license, and waste of the antelope. He forfeited $1,230 in bond for the violations. The area where the deer was killed is a very popular area with less than 5 percent drawing odds for nonresident hunters.

To report any game and fish violation, call the Stop Poaching Hotline at (800) 843-8096. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to a conviction.

CHEYENNE - After filling out the application and license, hunters are urged to complete one last - although very important -- item of paperwork for the season: the harvest survey.

Over 70,000 deer, elk, antelope and black bear hunters were sent post cards this week, asking them to reflect on their hunts in preparation for receiving the detailed harvest survey in about two weeks.

Christine Leonard, harvest survey coordinator for the Game and Fish Department, says it’s important hunters accurately report their success, how many days they hunted and the hunt areas they hunted in.

"Harvest levels, effort and success rates provided by the survey responses are among the key factors used to determine the status of the herds and to set the quotas and seasons for the upcoming year," Leonard said. "The more accurate and complete the information is, the better the department can serve both wildlife and hunters."

"The online surveys are the most efficient way for the hunter who has Internet access to respond," Leonard said. "It is also more efficient to tally the survey results via the web survey, while at the same time reducing the cost of conducting the survey."

Hunters are alerted that even if they were contacted in the field or stopped at a check station, it is still important to fill out the post-season survey.

Fifty to 100 percent of limited quota deer, elk and antelope license holders get surveyed. Approximately 25 percent of general deer and elk hunters are surveyed. All moose and bighorn sheep hunters are surveyed. The survey sample sizes are established to obtain statistically valid estimates of hunter effort and success, as well as impact on the herds.

Leonard reports that Wyoming hunters continue to have a greater response rate than most other voluntary reporting states. She said 60-70 percent of nonresidents and 40-50 percent of residents return their harvest surveys, but it is her goal to increase the return each year.

All deer, elk, antelope and black bear hunters responding to the surveys by Jan. 30, 2005 will be entered for raffles for: Pheasants Forever hat and one-year membership, Lite-Tech and Zhumell Binoculars, Atlas GPS from Brunton, gift certificates for Ariat Boots, Campmor and Wyoming Outdoor Industries, Browning knife, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation one-year membership, wildlife print and matching stamp from the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, two one-year memberships and subscriptions to Hunting Illustrated and a Foundation for North American Wild Sheep print.

CHEYENNE - Although Wyoming’s 550 plus species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians are spread across the Equality State’s 100,000 square miles, they can also be found all in one place: the new Atlas of Birds, Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles.

The atlas lists every species’ common and scientific name, habitat, distribution, noteworthy details and management status. Plus, for birds, there is a notation from the Wyoming Bird Record Committee if sightings are needed.

"From the most avid birdwatcher to the casual tourist, the atlas can help provide insight into understanding and enjoying Wyoming’s wildlife," Cerovski said.

The 206-page atlas will be updated at least twice a year as new species are discovered or other information is added.

The G&F, with the help of avid bird watchers, first published a Wyoming Bird Atlas in 1982. A mammal atlas was completed in 1987 and the two were combined 1991. In 1997 reptiles and amphibians were added. The current revision is the first atlas to be easily available to the general public.

For more information contact Cerovski at (307) 332-2688.

CHEYENNE - With legendaries like President Theodore Roosevelt, Olaus and Mardy Murie and Curt Gowdy inducted last September, the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame is asking outdoor enthusiasts to start thinking about the next class of inductees.

Nominations will be accepted from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2005 with the new inductees being announced the first week of April.

Created and sponsored by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming, the Outdoor Hall of Fame also inducted visionary Game and Fish Department Wildlife Biologist Cal King, pioneering G&F director and legislator D.C. Nowlin and Casper avian rehabilators Frank and Lois Layton in the inaugural class of inductees last September.

The Outdoor Hall of Fame was established to recognize individuals who have made significant and lasting lifetime contributions toward the conservation of Wyoming’s outdoor heritage through volunteerism, environmental restoration, educational activities, the arts and media, and individual leadership or leadership in the political arena.

"Nominations can be submitted by anyone who feels they know of a worthy candidate, and it doesn’t have to be someone you know personally," said Marlene "Mo" Brown, foundation executive director.

She said the legacy of all inductees will permanently reside on a "Wall of Fame" at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody.

The second class of inductees will be honored at the "Boots and Bustles" vintage-themed dinner and ceremony Sept. 9, 2005 at the Casper Fairgrounds Arena. The public is invited, but seating is limited. For more information about the Hall or Fame or banquet, contact Brown at (307) 777-4693.

Nov. 20 - Deer season closes in area 4-6 in southern Black Hills.
Nov. 30 - Deer season closes in areas 1-3 in northern Black Hills.
Nov. 30 - Grizzly bear occupancy meeting, Laramie, UW Classroom Building Room 117
Nov. 15 - Dark goose season opens in Goshen and Platte counties.
Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 - Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society annual meeting, Headwaters Convention Center, Dubois.
Dec. 1 --  Grizzly bear occupancy meeting, Casper, G&F Office, 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 --  Grizzly bear occupancy meeting, Sheridan, Sheridan College CTEL Presentation Hall, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6 -   Southwest Wyoming Sage Grouse Working Group, Lyman Town Hall, 9 a.m.
Dec. 6 --  Grizzly bear occupancy meeting, Dubois, Headwater Arts and Conference Center, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 --  Grizzly bear occupancy meeting, Riverton, Holiday Inn, 7 p.m.
Dec. 8 --  Grizzly bear occupancy meeting, Bighorn Federal Savings Bank, Thermopolis, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 --  Grizzly bear occupancy meeting, Cody, Holiday Inn, 7 p.m.

Q. "Does the possession limit on ducks and pheasants mean the number I can have at home or the number I’m allowed to have while hunting?"

A. Both. The number of pheasants, ducks or for that matter fish is the number you can legally have in your possession -- period. Possession is defined as the number of game birds, fish etc. in transit or storage. Be sure to check the regulations for the daily bag limits and possession limits in the various hunt areas.