The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says it will allow fewer wolves to be killed in the next trophy hunting season because the last one contributed to a dip in their population below the state's objective of 160 wolves; right now, there are 152.
The federal government is officially pursuing an appeal on a judge's decision to put the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear back under Endangered Species Act protections.
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Last week, a bill was introduced in Congress that would require Native American tribes to be included in the management of grizzly bears. The legislation, called the Tribal Heritage and Grizzly Bear Protection Act, would permanently place grizzly bears under federal protection much like the bald eagle.
Starting next week, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will be hosting public meetings across the state which will address chronic wasting diseases (CWD).
The grizzly bear is an iconic species to many Native American tribes, and now a bill introduced in Congress would require tribes be included in their management. The legislation, called the Tribal Heritage and Grizzly Bear Protection Act, was introduced by Raul Grijalva, the chair of the Natural Resources subcommittee.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission is committing over $1 million to work on wildlife crossings in the state. The Game and Fish Commission is responsible for creating policies, and the department is tasked with executing those policies.
In wide open spaces like the rural parts of the Mountain West, there's sometimes little known about the secret lives of plants and animals. There are too many square miles and too few scientists. That's where citizen scientists can come to the rescue.
Wyoming Game and Fish Director Scott Talbott has retired after 35 years in the department. He was appointed director in 2011. During his tenure, wolves were taken off Endangered Species Act protections and guided the department towards adopting a new strategic plan. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska asked Talbott what his greatest achievement as director is.
Wildlife based recreation in Wyoming increased by three percent in 2017 from the year before. That's according to a new analysis by the University of Wyoming. This is the second time the University of Wyoming analyzed the economic contribution of big game hunting, fishing and wildlife watching in the state.
Some fishing and hunting licenses will now be valid for 12 months after the date of purchase. Previously, all licenses from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department expired January 1, even if the license was only bought a week earlier.
Wyoming is the latest state in the Mountain West region to be sued by conservation groups over how a federal wildlife kill program is conducted in the state.
A new report released by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department shows a record high number of Yellowstone area grizzlies were captured and then euthanized last year. 53 grizzlies were captured and 32 were put down.
Two bills are currently moving through the legislature that would give the Wyoming Game and Fish Department more flexibility to manage the collecting of antlers on the landscape. Right now, people can collect them anytime between January 1 and May 1 in designated areas of the state.
By Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license
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The conflict over whether Yellowstone grizzly bears should be off or on Endangered Species Act protections has been an ongoing controversy for years. Even after a judge put grizzlies back under federal protections this Fall, the debate continues. Those in favor of the judge's decision and those against are suspicious of each other's motives.
Wyoming Game and Fish Deputy Director John Kennedy testified to a Senate committee Thursday in Washington D.C. on why Congress should pass legislation to permanently help fund state wildlife agencies. Wyoming's U.S. Senator John Barrasso chairs the Committee on the Environment and Public Works that heard Kennedy's testimony and has been working for months to reform the Endangered Species Act to make it easier to de-list species.
This time of year, is hunting season in Wyoming, and the state is known for its prime elk hunting. But after a series of conflicts with grizzly bears, outfitters and guides say there needs to be better grizzly management in the state.
After a controversial year, the Yellowstone grizzlies are back on the Threatened Species List. The issue is frustrating to state officials because the state has to fund the majority of grizzly management.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has approved a set of goals and a strategic plan that will further the department’s mission of “Conserving Wildlife and Serving People.”
A U.S. district court has decided to end a long-term permit for an elk feeding ground in the Bridger Teton National Forest in northwest Wyoming, saying the agency did not do enough to analyze the risk of chronic wasting disease to animals there.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is encouraging the public to educate themselves about what to do if they encounter a bear. Bears are preparing for hibernation and many are active.
By Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license
A federal judge in Montana will make the decision Thursday whether to put the iconic Yellowstone grizzly bear back on the endangered species list. Depending on the outcome, Wyoming’s grizzly hunt may not happen.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is once again on the lookout for West Nile virus in sage grouse. The department is asking Wyoming residents to report any dead sage grouse they find, so it can be tested through the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory.
