In the Press Release 02/01/10 issue:

GAME AND FISH PROGRAM ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO BECOME OUTDOOR INSIDERS
WYOMING OUTFITTERS HONOR WGFD BIOLOGIST
UNDERPASSES WORKING WELL FOR MIGRATING DEER
G&F Calendar
ASK THE GAME & FISH
WYOMING GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT PLANS WILD ABOUT O.R.E.O. EDUCATOR'S WORKSHOP

GAME AND FISH PROGRAM ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO BECOME OUTDOOR INSIDERS

CASPER - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department wants Wyoming women to pick up their camera, fishing pole or shotgun and experience the outdoors through the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman camp this June.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is an outdoor skills program offered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department each summer.  The weekend-long workshop introduces women to a variety of activities they can enjoy in Wyoming's great outdoors - from hunting and shooting to fishing, canoeing or wildlife photography.

Wyoming's BOW camp will be held June 18-20, 2010 at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois. Women participants can select from a variety of classes and programs, tailoring their experience to their individual interests and comfort level.  Classes include shooting, firearms safety, fly-fishing, outdoor photography, campfire cooking, horse packing, outdoor survival and archery.

The original BOW program was started more than 15 years ago as a way to allow women to learn about and participate in outdoor related skills in a safe, non-threatening environment.  Although interest by women in outdoor activities is increasing across the nation, some still need a nudge to try a new activity like hunting or fishing and turn it into a lifelong passion.  Game and Fish believes BOW workshops give women the chance to take that first step and get involved.

"Some women believe they can't, or shouldn't, try a particular activity," explains Janet Milek, BOW workshop coordinator and aquatics educator for the Game and Fish.  "It can be intimidating starting in an outdoor activity.  We really strive to create a fun, supportive atmosphere.  BOW is a great venue for women to take a risk or learn a new skill so that one day, they can enjoy all of the great outdoor activities this state has to offer."

Evenings are left free for the women to test some of their new skills such as hiking to nearby Lake Louise or fishing Torrey Creek or the Wind River.  They can also enjoy special programs on wildlife photography and area history and culture or explore the surrounding landscape with other participants.

"It's not just about the activities, it's about enjoying the whole experience and the camaraderie of women," says Milek. 

Applications for the June session will be accepted through April 15, 2010.  The three-day event costs $150, which includes all meals, equipment and lodging in rustic cabins.  Space is limited to fifty women, and final participants will be selected through a random draw.

Applications are available on the Game and Fish Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us by clicking on "Education" then "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman." 

-WGFD-

WYOMING OUTFITTERS HONOR WGFD BIOLOGIST

CODY - The Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association honored Wyoming Game and Fish Department wildlife biologist Gary Fralick at their annual Winter Convention and Big Game Awards Banquet in Cody. The Association honored the south Jackson wildlife biologist for "consistently performing at a level above and beyond his normal job duties" and specifically noted his "dedication and contribution to the Wyoming Range mule deer herd and his ability to balance the wide variety of stakeholder interests in regards to this most treasured herd."

                Fralick is a native of Lebanon, Pa.  After graduating high school there Gary joined the U.S. Air Force for four years with a tour of duty in Turkey. He then attended college at the University of Montana, where he received a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology in 1984.

                He began his Game and Fish career in 1986 as a wildlife biologist studying moose winter range near Kemmerer. He then researched the impacts of oil and gas development on elk and other wildlife near Mountain View. In 1988, he was promoted to the permanent position of wildlife biologist in the Biological Services section in Cheyenne. During this tour he was an invaluable member of the department's game farm committee.

                In 1990, Fralick was assigned to Buffalo where he served until 1993.  He then transferred to his current position as the south Jackson wildlife biologist based out of Thayne. His management responsibilities cover the Wyoming, Salt, Snake River and Gros Ventre mountain ranges.

                "We appreciate the outfitters and guides recognizing Gary for his hard work," said Jackson wildlife supervisor Tim Fuchs. "Gary has done a great job with all wildlife species throughout his career, but clearly the Wyoming Range mule deer herd is highly valued by many and he has done a great job of working with those constituents in particular."

                Gary dedicates most of his time and energy to the wildlife resource he is responsible for, but also enjoys hunting, spending time in the backcountry on horseback and traveling back to Turkey when he can.
 (Contact: Mark Gocke (307) 733-2321)

-WGFD-

UNDERPASSES WORKING WELL FOR MIGRATING DEER

BAGGS - Cameras installed at eight highway underpasses in southwest Wyoming continue to reveal how successful the underpasses are, as thousands of animals use them to migrate across state highways.

                The highway underpasses were installed to reduce the number of motorist collisions with migrating wildlife and reduce the number of wildlife mortalities, especially mule deer.  Between 2000 and 2008, seven highway underpasses were constructed in Nugget Canyon on U.S. highway 30, between Kemmerer and Cokeville.  The eighth underpass was completed in September 2009 on Highway 789 north of Baggs.

Green River wildlife management coordinator Mark Zornes says both the Nugget Canyon and Baggs highway underpasses continue to function very well.

"The Nugget Canyon project continues to function exceptionally well" Zornes said.  "Between Oct. 1, 2009 and Dec. 22, 2009, a total of 6,154 deer moved south through the underpasses and 432 moved from south to north.  Other wildlife, including elk and moose, are also using the underpasses.  The underpass at mile post 30.5 continues to lead the pack, with nearly 50 percent of the crossings.  However, this is the oldest underpass, completed in 2000."

                According to Zornes, 3,279 deer passed through the Baggs underpass which was completed in September, 2009; 2,818 of those deer moved westward to winter range.  "This underpass nearly equaled the use of the most heavily used underpass in Nugget Canyon which is 10 years old," Zornes said. "The vast majority of deer have completed their migration to winter range and vehicle mortalities are down significantly from the previously year."

These projects are a success although more structures are needed. Additional sites have been selected for installation of underpasses in future years. 

Installation of the highway underpasses is a joint project between the Wyoming Department of Transportation, (WYDOT) Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative, the Wyoming Natural Resources Trust Fund, Little Snake River Conservation District, private landowners and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

"These highway underpass projects are a welcome sight to those folks interested in reducing habitat fragmentation," said Zornes. "There are many people and entities to thank for the success of the underpasses. However, we would be remiss if we did not specifically thank WYDOT Wildlife Specialist Thomas Hart and WYDOT highway crews and engineering personnel in both the District 1 and District 3 Offices."
(Contact: Lucy Diggins (307) 875-3223)

-WGFD-

G&F Calendar

Feb. 1 - Nonresident elk application deadline
Feb1 - Resident and nonresident deadline for spring wild turkey licenses
Feb. 6 - Hunter Education Instructor Workshop, Torrington (307) 777-4538
March 1 - Landowner coupon deadline
March 1 - Application deadline for wild bison priority listing
March 1 - Resident/ nonresident application deadline for moose, bighorn sheep and mt. goat licenses
March 1 - Season closes for cottontail rabbit; snowshoe hare; red, gray and fox squirrels                                             

-WGFD-

ASK THE GAME & FISH

Q.  What are the regulations for hunting crows?

A. There is no license required to hunt crows, but there is a crow season.  The season has been open since November 1 and will close on February 28.  There is no bag limit, but hunters are cautioned that a similar species, the raven, is protected.  In flight, the best method to differentiate between the two species is the shape of the tail.  The crow has a square tail and the raven's tail is wedge shaped. Page 5 of the late migratory bird regulations has information on the crow season as well as an illustration of crows and ravens in flight.

-WGFD-

WYOMING GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT PLANS WILD ABOUT O.R.E.O. EDUCATOR'S WORKSHOP

CHEYENNE - Wyoming educators and youth leaders will have an opportunity this summer to learn about the outdoors, develop outdoor skills and receive instructions on teaching methods to use in the classroom at the 2010 WILD about O.R.E.O. Educator Workshop held June 14-17 at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois.

The workshop incorporates a combination of the Game and Fish Department's Outdoor Recreation Education Opportunities (O.R.E.O.) program and Project WILD activities.  It is designed for Wyoming educators and youth leaders.  The curriculum includes outdoor photography, map and compass skills, fishing skill, shooting sports, staying safe in bear country, canoe safety, geocaching, wildlife conservation and more.

At this year's program educators also have the opportunity to become certified in the National Archery in the Schools program (NASP) or Project WILD. 

"Outdoor recreation is part of Wyoming's great history and can be part of classroom instruction" said the WGFD's Tristanna Bickford who heads up the workshop.  "Whether you teach science, history, math, physical education or lead a youth group, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department helps make it easy to keep your students in touch with wildlife and wild places."

The deadline for registering is April 30.  There are 40 spots available and a fee of $150 covers food and lodging.  There is no additional cost to participate in the NASP or Project WILD workshops.  If there are more than 40 applicants, a review panel will select those who will attend.

More information and a copy of the application packet can be obtained on the WGFD Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us  (click on education) or contact Tristanna Bickford at (307) 777-4536.
(Contact: Tristanna Bickford (307) 777-4536)

-WGFD-