In the Press Release 08/30/10 issue:

WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 8-9 IN CASPER
SMALL GAME, MOUNTAIN GROUSE, DOVE SEASONS OPEN SEPT. 1
HUNTING & FISHING HERITAGE EXPO IS NEXT WEEK
WATERFOWL HUNTERS: DRAIN, CLEAN AND DRY FOR AIS PREVENTION
FALL TURKEY DRAWING COMPLETED
G&F Calendar
ASK THE GAME & FISH

WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 8-9 IN CASPER

CHEYENNE - The WGFD's State Wildlife Action Plan, proposed amendments to the Wildlife Protection Recommendations for Wind Energy Development, aquatic invasive species program and management plan, and the proposed sale of the commission's Como Bluffs Fish Hatchery will be presented to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission at their Sept. 8-9 meeting in Casper.  In addition, the commission will be provided with updates on: the litigation process as it pertains to the status of wolf and grizzly bear listings; the Black Hills deer landowner survey; the Private Lands Public Wildlife Access Program; and the WGFD's Strategic Habitat Plan. 

In addition, the commission will meet with the Wyoming Board of Agriculture during the afternoon session on Sept. 8 to discuss several issues, including: access on private land; WGFD's elk harvest objectives; sage grouse management; and a new collaborative review process for proposed wind energy projects. 

The open meeting session begins at approximately 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 8 at the WGFD Casper Regional Office, 3030 Energy Lane in Casper.  The commission meeting agenda can be found online at: http://gf.state.wy.us/admin/commission/index.asp.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations.  Anyone who requires auxiliary aids to attend should contact Sheri Voycheske at (307) 777-4501. 

-WGFD-

SMALL GAME, MOUNTAIN GROUSE, DOVE SEASONS OPEN SEPT. 1

CHEYENNE - Even though most big game seasons do not open until mid September or October, hunters can get  their fall hunts underway this week with season openers for a variety of small game and upland bird species.

Seasons for blue and ruffed grouse, often referred to as mountain grouse, open Sept.1.  Blue grouse are found in most mountain areas throughout the state on both Bureau of Land Management and national forest lands.  Ruffed grouse are found in western Wyoming in the Shoshone, Bridger-Teton and Targhee national forests.  The season is long, ending Nov. 30.  Many birds are taken each year incidental to hunts for deer and elk.

Mourning doves are found throughout the state, and the quality of hunting is weather dependant.  With the first cold snap, doves will head for warmer climes, but if the weather stays mild, dove hunters often have opportunities throughout much of September.  Mourning dove hunters are reminded to have the federal Harvest Information Program permit (HIP permit) in their possession while hunting. The HIP permit is available free on the Game and Fish website http://gf.state.wy.us or for 50 cents from license selling agents.   Dove hunters should be aware that Eurasian collared doves are being seen with increasing frequency in Wyoming especially in the eastern part of the state.  Eurasian collared doves are an exotic species that are larger than mourning doves and can be identified by a black band on the neck and a squared tail.  Since Eurasian collared doves are not listed as a Wyoming Game bird, there is no closed season, no bag limit and no license is required.

Like mourning doves, small game animals are also found throughout much of the state.  In Wyoming, animals legally classified as small game include cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares and red, gray and fox squirrels.  The small game season is long, opening Sept. 1 and running through Mar. 1. 

License requirements for small game and birds vary with the age and residency of the hunters. Hunters 14 years and older are required to possess the proper small game or bird license.  Resident youth under 14 do not need a license to hunt small game or birds and nonresident hunters under 14 years of age also do not need a license if hunting with a licensed adult and their bag limit is applied to and limited by the small game or game bird licenses held by the adult in his/her company.  Youth under 14 can also hunt wild turkey, but a separate wild turkey license is required.
(Contact: Al Langston (307) 777-4540)

-WGFD-

HUNTING & FISHING HERITAGE EXPO IS NEXT WEEK

CHEYENNE - Less than two weeks remain until the 13^th annual hunting and fishing Heritage expo gets underway Sept. 9-11 at the Casper Events Center.

As in previous years, the Expo is a free educational event for all ages and features activities like shooting, fishing, canoeing and archery.  There are also more than 150 activities, exhibits and demonstrations designed to help people participate in Wyoming's hunting, fishing and outdoors. Most activities are at the Casper Events Center and surrounding grounds, but .22 rifle, blackpowder and shotgun shooting is available at nearby shooting complexes. 

New events at the Expo this year include activities at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, located just east of the Casper Events Center.  On Thursday and Friday at the Interpretive Center, there will be reenactments of the Pony Express days with Pony Express reenactment rides.  Free shuttles will be running between the two centers and the shooting complexes. Other new activities include demonstrations on camping and day hiking that should appeal to both newcomers and experienced campers and hikers.

Two years ago the expo was changed to a Thursday-Saturday format from the Friday-Sunday to allow more school groups to attend.  Activities for students of all ages are available.  During all three days, students age 10-18 can pursue the Youth Shooting Pentathlon by participating in shotgunning, .22 rifle, muzzleloader, pellet gun and archery.  Participants receive a certificate, patch and a prize.  On Saturday, the first 1,000 students completing the aquatic outdoor skills stations receive a free fishing rod and reel combo donated by North Platte Walleyes.  Following the Expo on Sunday, Sept. 13, there is a Women's Shotgun Clinic at the Casper Trap & Skeet Club.

Displays and activities will also include: Safari Club International's Sensory Safari; National Wild Turkey Federation's Grand Slam Turkey Display; Laramie River Black Powder Brigade Mountain Man Camp, and Native Americans of the West.  There will also be a number of demonstrations and programs by the Laramie Peak Retriever Club, Smoky Bear, Pheasants Forever and live snakes with Wyoming's state herpetologist.

More than 143,000 people have attended the Expo in the last 11 years.  Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit the Game and Fish Web site http://gf.state.wy.us or call (888) EXPO-WYO.(Contact: Wendy Hayes (307) 777-4542)

-WGFD-

WATERFOWL HUNTERS: DRAIN, CLEAN AND DRY FOR AIS PREVENTION

CHEYENNE - If you own a watercraft (boat, canoe, raft and kayak) and live in Wyoming, you should be familiar with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Aquatic Invasive Species program.

                The program is multifaceted and includes a stepped up surveillance effort to detect invasive zebra and quagga mussels through established and random watercraft inspections.  

Zebra and quagga mussels are freshwater, bivalve mollusks that typically have a dark and white pattern on their shells, hence the name zebra. They are non-native species, invading North America from the Black, Aral and Caspian Seas sometime in the mid 1980s. They are considered nuisance or invasive species throughout the country.

These species have had tremendous impacts to water bodies, recreation and even drinking water supplies in other states, including several states that border Wyoming. Heavy infestations of these species can alter aquatic environments by reducing food sources for game fish.  They have not yet been discovered in any of Wyoming's waters.

Duck hunters are asked to help prevent the spread of these organisms between bodies of water by following a few simple steps. Before leaving a body of water, but while on dry land, do the following:  Drain every conceivable space that can hold water, including engines, live wells or ballast tanks or even just the inside of your canoe, kayak or raft. Clean any and all equipment by removing plants, mud and other debris. Allow all equipment to thoroughly Dry before launching in another body of water. 

Likewise, hip boots and waders should be thoroughly cleaned of mud to help prevent the spread of organisms such a whirling disease and New Zealand mud snails.
(Contact: Dennie Hammer (307) 527-7125)

-WGFD-

FALL TURKEY DRAWING COMPLETED

CHEYENNE - The drawing for fall turkey licenses has been completed.  Results will be available on the Game and Fish website http://gf.state.wy.us  beginning Aug.31. 

Limited quota turkey licenses are available in the following areas:

Area         Type        Licenses Remaining

   3              3               236

   4              1                 42     

   8              1                 19

   9              3                 93

   10            1                  8  

-WGFD-

G&F Calendar

Aug. 31 - Leftover Fall Turkey licenses available
Sept.1 - Archery deer and elk open in most areas; remaining antelope areas open to archery hunting
Sept. 1 - Season opens for mourning dove, blue and ruffed grouse, snipe and rails
Sept. 1 - Season opens for cottontail rabbit; snowshoe hare; red, gray and fox squirrel
Sept. 1-8 - Early Canada goose season in Pacific Flyway
Sept. 8-9 - Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meeting, Casper WGFD office
Sept. 9-11 - Wyoming Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo, Casper Events Center
Sept. 15 - Application deadline for Springer and Glendo pheasant permits
Sept. 30 - Deadline to purchase big game preference points

-WGFD-

ASK THE GAME & FISH

Q.  Are crossbows legal in archery season?

A.  You can use a crossbow during the archery season providing it conforms to certain specifications.  Wyoming law requires crossbows have a minimum draw weight of not less than 90 pounds, a minimum draw length of 14 inches and a positive safety mechanism.  Crossbow bolts must be at least 16 inches long and the steel broadhead must have a cutting width of at least one inch.

-WGFD-