Meetings to address License Issuance, Mountain Lion, Furbearer, Hunter Safety, and Damage Claim Regulations
by Wyoming Game & Fish
May 3, 2012
Allowing parents and legal guardians to purchase hunting and fishing licenses for their minor children and creating a new mountain lion hunt area in the northwestern Black Hills with an unlimited harvest quota highlight the regulation proposals being presented at public meetings in May and early June.
Currently hunters are eligible for a license refund if inflicted with an incapacitating illness and the Game and Fish is proposing to expand the regulation to allow the hunter to also be eligible to receive a refund if his or her next of kin is incapacitated due to illness. The Game and Fish will also adopt language of recently passed legislation allowing hunters to buy an unlimited number of reduced price licenses in specific areas when warranted by the Game and Fish Commission.
"Due to public concerns about mountain lion populations in the Black Hills, the department is proposing to add a new hunt area in the Hulett area of the northwest Black Hills with an unlimited harvest quota," said Mike Choma, department wildlife law enforcement supervisor.
The new hunt area, 32, would consist of the portion of Area 30 north of I-90 and some of the northern portion of Area 1. Mountain lion quotas are also proposed to be increased in south central Wyoming.
Choma, who oversees the regulation for the Game and Fish, adds that live traps will be defined and officially allowed for furbearers in the current proposals. In addition, the Spence/Moriarty and Kirk Inberg and Kevin/Roy Wildlife Habitat Management Area southeast of Dubois will be closed to taking beaver in proposed furbearer regulations.
The department is proposing to allow outside vendors to administer the internet hunter safety course. Those students taking the online class will still be required to attend an internet field day sponsored by Game and Fish instructors.
In preparation for gray wolf delisting, the species is being added to the Regulation Governing Big or Trophy Game Animal Damage Claims.
All interested parties are encouraged to attend one of the public meetings discussing these proposals:
May 14 6 p.m. Cody Bighorn Federal Bank
May 14 7 p.m. Laramie Game and Fish Office
May 14 6 p.m. Pinedale Game and Fish Office
May 15 6 p.m. Dubois Headwaters Arts & Conference Center
May 15 7 p.m. Green River Game and Fish Office
May 15 5 p.m. Sheridan Game and Fish Office
May 23 7 p.m. Casper Game and Fish Office
May 24 7 p.m. Sundance Crook County Courthouse (open house)
June 4 7 p.m. Jackson Game and Fish Office
If unable to attend a meeting, comments may be provided online through the department’s web survey. Written comments on the proposals will also be accepted through 5 p.m. June 12 by mailing: Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Regulations, 3030 Energy Lane, Casper, WY 82604. Copies of the proposed regulations are available at the same address.
All comments will be presented to the Game and Fish Commission prior to their July 9-11 meeting in Lander.
The Game and Fish supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations by contacting the corresponding department office.
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