May 19 Game and Fish news

For Immediate Release:

 

 

Wyoming Free Fishing Day is June 7.......................................................................................................... . 1

Deadline to Apply for Resident Elk, Deer, Antelope Licenses is Midnight on June 2........................ . 2

Time to be Bear Aware................................................................................................................................. . 3

Spring Turkey Survey Now Underway....................................................................................................... . 4

Game and Fish Calendar................................................................................................................................ 4

Ask Game and Fish......................................................................................................................................... 5

 

 

 

WYOMING FREE FISHING DAY IS JUNE 7

CHEYENNE – Both residents and nonresidents alike can fish for free with no license required all day in Wyoming on June 7. The free fishing day was authorized in 2003 by the Wyoming State Legislature.

Free Fishing Day applies to all waters in Wyoming with the exception that fishing licenses are required in Yellowstone National Park and the Wind River Indian Reservation. All fishing regulations such as creel and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures still apply.

Free Fishing Day is held in conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week and is designed to provide an opportunity for people to get reacquainted with fishing and enjoy Wyoming’s outstanding fishing opportunities.

Activities to be held across the state in celebration of Free Fishing Day:                                                                                                                                                      June 7  

Afton—Kids’ Fishing Day, Golf Course Pond, 7 a.m.                                                                                                                                                                                 Casper—Kids’ Fishing Derby, Yesness Pond, 9 a.m.                                                                                                                                                                         Cheyenne—Family Fishing Day, Granite Reservoir, Curt Gowdy State Park, 10 a.m.                                                                           Cody—Kids’ Fishing Day, Beck Lake, 8:30 a.m.                                                                                                             Jackson—Kids’ Fishing Day, Jackson National Fish Hatchery, 10:30 a.m.                                                                         Kemmerer—Youth Fishing Derby, Kemmerer City Pond, 8 a.m.                                                                                            Lander—Kids’ Fishing Day, Luckey Pond, 9 a.m.                                                                                                                                 Powell— Annual Kids’ Fishing Day, Homesteader Park Pond, 6 a.m.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Pinedale—Kids’ Fishing, Day CCC Ponds, 10 a.m.

Saratoga—Kids’ Fishing Day, Saratoga Resort Pond, 7:30 a.m.

 

Other Kids’ Fishing Days throughout the summer:                                                                                                                                        June 14                                                                                                                                                                                         Dubois—Kids’ Fishing Day, Scout’s Pond, 9 a.m.                                                                                                                     Evanston—Kids’ Fishing Derby, UP Ice Ponds, 7 a.m.                                                                                                          Rock Springs—Kids’ Fishing Day at Wataha Park Pond, 9 a.m.                                                                                

                                                                                                                                    

 

July 12

Lovell—Bighorn National Forest Kids’ Fishing Day at Porcupine Pond, 8 a.m.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   July 26                                                                                                                                                                                        Laramie—KOWB Kids’ Fishing Day, Huck Finn Pond

                                                                                                        

For more information about Free Fishing Day and upcoming events, contact the nearest Game and Fish regional office.                                                                                                                                                                                              (Contact: Al Langston (307) 777-4540)

-WGFD-

                                                                                                          

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR RESIDENT LIMITED QUOTA ELK, DEER, ANTELOPE LICENSES IS MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 2

CHEYENNE – Wyoming hunters will have a few extra hours to go online and get their hunting applications entered in the upcoming drawing thanks to a recent change by the Game and Fish to extend the application deadline time to 12 a.m. (midnight) on the application deadline day.

                The next application deadline is June 2, and is for resident limited quota elk, deer, and antelope licenses. The deadline is June 2 this year because May 31 is on a weekend. When deadlines fall on weekend dates, Game and Fish accepts applications to midnight the next business day.

For many years prior to the 12 a.m. time change, the deadline time has been 5 p.m. on the deadline date. According to License Section Manager Jennifer Doering, the deadline time change is a direct result of the online application process.

“With hunters applying online, we are able to process applications in a more timely manner,” Doering said. “The midnight deadline gives hunters a few extra hours to get their applications in after they get home from work, but, as with the old 5 p.m. deadline, the system will shut down after midnight and will not accept applications after that time.”

By switching to the total online applications, the Game and Fish has been able to process applications faster with less manpower. This represents a significant cost saving for the Game and Fish and also expedites the timing of the drawings.

In addition to completing hunting applications, hunters who go into the Game and Fish website http://wgfd.wyo.gov can find information on drawing odds, harvest from previous years, seasons, license quotas and hunt area maps. Another advantage of applying online is that applicants who change their mind on area selection after applying can easily go into the Game and Fish website and modify the application any time during the application period.

Hunters should be aware that some areas have changes from previous years. The one-page big game summary maps depicting hunt areas, and listing seasons and quotas are not being printed this year, but the information is available on the Game and Fish website.

For those who would like to apply, but may not have access to a computer or need assistance in applying, the Game and Fish has computer stations at each of its regional and Cheyenne offices. In addition, hunters who have questions about applying can call the Game and Fish at 307-777-4600.  

Hunters who are concerned with security of credit card information should be aware that the Game and Fish does not have records of credit cards used for license purchases. “Credit card billings for licenses are approved by the credit card service and the Game and Fish never sees credit card information,” Doering said. “If anything, the online application process is more secure than submitting personal information and payments through the mail.”                      

(Contact: Al Langston (307) 777-4540)

-WGFD-

 

TIME TO BE BEAR AWARE

CODY – With the successful recovery and expansion of grizzly bears throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department reminds outdoor recreationalists and rural homeowners in northwest Wyoming to maintain awareness of bears while enjoying the outdoors Wyoming has to offer.

                Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator Brian DeBolt said that by this time of year, bears have emerged from their dens. “Typically, male bears emerge from their dens in mid-March and early April, while females and young-of-the-year cubs emerge in late April and early May,” said DeBolt. “With bears active in the greater Yellowstone area, now is the time to take the necessary precautions to avoid potential conflicts.”

               The Wyoming Game and Fish Department strives to manage conflict resolution between people and large carnivores, as well as quantifying and evaluating how situations occur. “In most conflict situations, bears do not interact with people, rather they obtain unsecured human foods, livestock or pet foods, garbage, or birdseed from developed areas; many times resulting in property damage,” DeBolt said.

                If you live in black bear or grizzly bear country, DeBolt recommends keeping garbage, livestock feed and birdseed properly stored and unavailable to bears. Barbeque grills should be kept clean and stored in a garage or shed when possible. “The majority of the people in rural Wyoming do a good job of securing attractants to keep foods away from bears but it’s important to remain vigilant and remember to secure attractants to minimize the potential for conflict,” DeBolt said.

                Those who recreate in bear country also need to be aware of the potential for encounters with grizzly bears. When hiking, be cautious and alert. Hike in a group and make noise as you travel so bears can hear you. Learn to recognize areas of heavy bear use by knowing how to identify tracks, scats, and diggings, and if you smell a carcass, avoid it. Flocks of magpies or ravens often indicate a nearby potential food source for bears.

                Remember, when bears scavenge large animals they often cover what they can’t eat with brush or dirt and may stay nearby for several days to defend it from other bears.

                Antler hunters should be aware that as they search the foothills for sheds, bears tend to wander over the same big game winter ranges in search of winter-killed deer and elk.   Commercially available bear spray is effective for stopping aggressive bears. Use bear spray only as a deterrent and as a last resort to avoiding a physical encounter. Carry bear spray in a readily accessible manner.

                “Those recreating and living in grizzly bear country have done an exceptional job increasing awareness and taking the necessary precautions to provide for the long-term viability of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Without the proactive measures and awareness already in place, we would not be where we are at today with grizzly bear management and conservation in Wyoming,” DeBolt said.                

(Contact: Tara Teaschner (307) 527-7125)

-WGFD-

 

 

SPRING TURKEY SURVEY NOW UNDERWAY

CHEYENNE—The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking turkey hunters to take a few minutes and participate in the harvest survey now underway for the 2014 spring turkey season.

4,537 surveys are being mailed to both resident and nonresident hunters who held both general and limited quota spring turkey licenses. The surveys can be completed online or by filling out the form and mailing it in. Hunter Survey Coordinator Gail Sheridan said the online method is more efficient.

“Each survey letter has instructions for accessing the online form and a password that must be entered to complete the survey,” Sheridan said. “By completing this online, it saves the Game and Fish money in return postage and processing and speeds up the procedure to compile survey results. But, regardless of the method used, it is important that the survey is completed.”

The Game and Fish emphasizes it is still very important for all surveys to be completed, even if the hunter was unsuccessful or did not go hunting. Biologists use information from the survey to monitor populations and recommend hunting seasons.

(Contact Gail Sheridan (307-777-4567)

-WGFD-

 

 

 

 

 

Game and Fish Calendar

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              May 19 – Public Meeting on Gray Wolf, Licensing and Hunter Safety Regulations, Pinedale WGFD Office, 6 p.m.

May 20 – Spring wild turkey season ends in all hunt areas

May 20 – Public Meeting on Gray Wolf, Licensing and Hunter Safety Regulations, Casper WGFD Office, 6 p.m.

May 20 – Public Meeting on Gray Wolf, Licensing, Hunter Safety Regulations, Green River WGFD Office, 6 p.m.

May 20 – AIS Watercraft Inspection Training, Gillette, Alan Mickelson Fire Training Center, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.                               May 22 – Public Meeting on Gray Wolf, Licensing, Hunter Safety Regulations, Dubois, Arts & Conference Center., 6 p.m.

June 2 – Application deadline for resident limited quota elk, deer, antelope licenses, 12 a.m. application deadline             June 7 – Free Fishing Day – no fishing license required                                                                                                                     June 7 – Afton, Kids’ Fishing Day, Golf Course Pond, 10 a.m                                                                                                            June 7 – Casper, Kids’ Fishing Derby, Yesness Pond, 9 a.m.                                                                                                   June 7 – Cheyenne, Family Fishing Day, Granite Reservoir, Curt Gowdy State Park, 10 a.m.                                                                                                             

June 7 – Cody, Kids’ Fishing Day, Beck Lake, 8:30 a.m.

June 7 – Jackson, Kids’ Fishing Day, Jackson National Fish Hatchery, 10:30 a.m.                                                                                                   June 7 – Kemmerer, Youth fishing Derby, Kemmerer City Pond, 8 a.m.                                                                                                      June 7 – Lander, Kids’ Fishing Day, Luckey Pond, 9 a.m.

June 7 – Pinedale, Kids’ Fishing Day, CCC Ponds, 10 a.m.  

June 7 – Kids’ Fishing Day, Saratoga Resort Pond, 7:30 a.m.                                                        

June 7 – Powell, Annual Kids’ Fishing Day, Homesteader Park Pond, 6 a.m.

June 11 – AIS Watercraft Inspection Training, Jackson, WGFD Regional Office, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.    

June 14 – Dubois, Kids’ Fishing Day, Scout’s Pond, 9 a.m.

June 14 – Evanston, Kids’ Fishing Derby, UP Ice Ponds, 7 a.m.

June 14 – Rock Springs, Take a Kid Fishing Day, Wataha Park Pond, 9 a.m.

            

 

 

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