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Some say providing Teton County residents with natural gas could come at the cost of the local sage grouse – a bird whose populations have rapidly declined over the years. But, federal and state agencies say the harm can be mostly mitigated.
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Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) officials met with residents in the western part of the state last week, looking to answer questions and hear feedback on the new draft elk feedground management plan.
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For the first time, Wyoming is outlining specifically how it will manage elk feedgrounds going forward. A draft plan was released, and it is a shift from how the state’s historically done things.The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) recently published its draft elk feedground management plan. It is about two and half years in the making – with 60 stakeholders taking part in the conversation.
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The protection of greater sage grouse is in conversation again. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is planning to update its protections this year, as the bird is considered a ‘sensitive species.’ But several conservation groups wrote the agency a letter saying it is still not enough.
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Wyoming’s Gov. Mark Gordon came to Pinedale late last week for an emergency meeting to discuss the state of big game. The consensus is the animals are suffering drastically.
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A herd of bighorn sheep northeast of Lovell is experiencing a disease outbreak. Forty bighorn sheep in the Devil’s Canyon herd have died since Oct. 14.
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Warmer falls have made hunting harder, especially elk. This is affecting the Wyoming Game and Fish Department managing elk.
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A study out of Utah State University tapped the expertise of ranchers to see which barriers work and which don’t. Depending on the location, growing season and habitat, certain materials and layouts could be cheaper and more effective than alternatives. In some cases, electric or barbed wire might work, while in others, mesh or wood is sufficient.
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The Bishoff Ranch by Lovell helped reintroduce and maintain the bighorn sheep population. The Terry Creek Ranch near Laramie established a conservation easement on their property. And the Hellyer Ranch near Lander did a habitat treatment on their pasture.
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A study released recently by the U.S. Geological Survey and Colorado State University shows gelding wild horses didn’t really affect their behavior or have a long-term impact on herd size. But it's another tool worth considering while addressing the overpopulation of wild horses and burros on public lands.