2014
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 2
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
Northeast Wyoming Hunting Outlook By Bud Stewart - Public Information Specialist/Sheridan Region/Wyoming Game and Fish Dept.
The Sheridan Region of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department offers hunters a wide variety of hunting opportunities. However, much of the land in the central and east part of the Sheridan Region is privately owned so hunters will find access to hunting lands more difficult here than in other parts of the state. Many landowners either outfit their land themselves or lease the hunting rights on their property to an outfitter. Others may charge a trespass fee for hunters to access their private property. To access parcels of public land, hunters must travel on a public road or have permission from a private landowner if they have to cross private land to get to the public land. Many hunters are now using GPS technology with the land status chip to find land status boundaries. Trespassing onto private property while hunting and fishing is taken very seriously in Wyoming. The minimum fine for violating Wyoming’s hunting/fishing trespass law has recently increased from $220 to $420. Hunters can view maps that show the public roads in the Sheridan Region at the Hunter Information Center in Gillette (Intersection of I90 and Highway 59), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office in Buffalo or the Sheridan Region Game and Fish Office. Travel on public lands is restricted to established roads. Hunters are not allowed to travel cross country with motorized vehicles on public lands. Some roads that were built for energy development in the Powder River Basin are being reclaimed with native plant communities to restore wildlife habitat. Hunters are requested not to park or drive on newly seeded or closed roads. In general, the fall of 2014 should be fair to good, depending on the species a hunter is pursuing. Here is our forecast for the fall hunting seasons in the Sheridan Region: Pronghorn (antelope) The outlook for antelope hunting in the Sheridan Region is once again good. Although other parts of Wyoming may have well known reputations for antelope hunting, northeast Wyoming has abundant herds of antelope.
The winter of 2013-14 was long, but not especially severe in much of the Sheridan Region. Some antelope herds, especially those in northeast Campbell County, were still recovering from the harsh winter of 2010-11. But, overall antelope populations remain healthy, and hunting seasons have been designed to give hunters plenty of opportunity. In the Sheridan Region antelope hunt areas, hunters are allowed to purchase a second, any-antelope license and up to four doe/fawn licenses if available. Hunters need to be aware that most antelope hunting is found on private land and they should make arrangements for a place to hunt prior to buying licenses. Hunters willing to wait until after the opening day and first weekend of the season may find it easier to get on private lands. It is possible to find some antelope on the parcels of public lands scattered around northeast Wyoming, but hunters can expect to find other hunters also using those lands. Mule Deer Mule deer hunting in the Sheridan Region is forecast to be about average. The winter of 2010-11 and 2013-14 did result in the death of deer in some parts of the Sheridan Region, especially fawns, so the impact to herds will be noticed by hunters as fewer young bucks will be available again this year. Mule deer populations in the Gillette area have declined about 25 percent in recent years. Hunters with access to private lands are expected to have good success, while hunters on public lands can expect large numbers of other hunters and comparatively lower success. Antler growth of deer appears to have benefited from the spring 2014 precipitation and extended green-up period, allowing deer to enter the fall of 2014 in good shape. These conditions will likely boost the percentage of larger antlered bucks available for harvest this fall in the Sheridan Region. White-tailed Deer White-tailed deer numbers remain high even after a widespread Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) outbreak last year.
Long hunting seasons with plenty of Type 8 doe/fawn white-tailed deer licenses will again be available. Hunters are advised that if they have access to private land they should consider buying reducedprice doe/fawn deer licenses, as several thousand doe/fawn licenses are available throughout the region with many of them restricted to private lands. Again for 2014, there is no limit on the number of reduced-price doe/fawn licenses that can be purchased for hunt areas 24, 27, 29, 30 and 33. If a hunter really enjoys venison, this is a great opportunity to fill the freezer. Hunters should note that most of these opportunities are on private land so hunters should secure access prior to purchasing white-tailed deer licenses. Elk The Sheridan Region contains some of Wyoming’s best known elk hunt areas.
Those hunters who were successful in drawing one of the highly sought after limited quota any elk licenses for a hunt area in the Bighorn Mountains, the Rochelle Hills, or the Fortification areas will have the opportunity for a great hunt with the possibility of bringing home a real trophy. For those potential hunters that did not draw a license there are still some leftover antlerless and reduced price cow/calf elk licenses available. Resident hunters also have the option of purchasing a general license to hunt in Areas 36 and 37. Success for general license hunters tends to be much lower than those who have a limited quota any elk license. The Department will again be collecting blood samples from hunter harvested elk to monitor for brucellosis in the Bighorn Mountains. Hunters are encouraged to assist the Department by collecting a Continued on Page 3
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 3
Northeast Wyoming Hunting Outlook... blood sample from freshly harvested elk and submitting the sample for testing. Department personnel will be in the field to collect samples or the samples can be mailed using the box provided with the sample kit. Moose Those hunters who were fortunate enough to draw a moose license for areas 1 and 34 will have a unique hunting opportunity. Moose hunting is by limited quota licenses only. Hunter success is expected to be 90 percent or higher. Both areas have the reputation of producing larger antlered, mature bulls. Black bear Black bear hunting is regulated by a female harvest mortality quota. The fall season will close when either the female mortality quota is reached or at the closing date as listed in the bear hunting regulations, whichever occurs first. Before going afield bear hunters should call the black bear hotline (1-800-264-1280) to check the female harvest mortality quota for a given area to see if the hunting area remains open. It is the hunter’s responsibility to make sure the season is open. Game birds Game bird hunters in the Sheridan Region are cautiously optimistic that the fall of 2014 might be better than in recent years. Although populations of sharptailed grouse and gray partridge are not as plentiful as they were before the “bust,” at least some hens appear to be successfully raising broods this summer. Spring “lek” (breeding ground) surveys of sage-grouse showed that sage-grouse
numbers were low again this spring in northeast Wyoming. Nest success and brood rearing appears to be fair. Wild pheasants also appear to be doing okay and pheasants from the Department’s Sheridan Bird Farm will again be released on several Sheridan Region Walk-In Areas. Hunters pursuing pheasants on Walk-In Areas must purchase a Pheasant Management Stamp. Wild turkey numbers are in pretty good shape in several areas of the Sheridan Region at the present time. Tom to hen ratios are high so opportunities remain excellent, especially if you can gain access to private lands to hunt turkeys. Hunters will be able to buy a “general” turkey license from a local license-selling agent for hunt area 3. There are 250 limited quota area 3 fall turkey licenses available for those that would like an opportunity to harvest an additional wild turkey. Hunters are reminded that most game bird hunting occurs on private land, except for blue grouse hunting in the Bighorn Mountains. Walk-in Access Walk-In Area access continues to be popular in northeast Wyoming. These hunting and fishing areas are identified with signs. They can be located by using maps found on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department web site at http://wgfd. wyo.gov. Each Walk-In Area has specific rules for species that can be hunted, so be sure to check online for those species and possible changes from last season. The Walk-In Areas are made possible, in part, by contributing to the Access/
Yes program. Hunters and anglers can contribute to the Access/Yes program at any time or they can donate when they purchase a license. Donation forms are available at the Department’s Regional offices or at license selling agents statewide. Check Stations Local wildlife biologists and game wardens will conduct temporary check stations throughout the region this fall to collect harvest data from specific hunt areas. Check station attendants will also provide information to hunters and monitor compliance with Wyoming regulations. If you see one of these check stations, don’t forget that all hunters are required to stop, even if they haven’t been successful on their hunt. Don’t forget to make arrangements with private landowners for access to hunt or
Continued from Page 2
fish on private property or travel through private property. Access information on hunt areas in the region may be obtained by contacting the Sheridan Regional Office. Please assist us in protecting your wildlife resource. Call and report any known or suspected wildlife violations. The tollfree “STOP POACHING” telephone number is 877-WGFD-TIP (877-943-3847). Feel free to call the Sheridan Regional Office or local Department personnel if you have any questions concerning your experience in our region. The Sheridan Regional Office telephone number is 307672-7418. If you are calling from within Wyoming you can dial 1-800-331-9834. If you get a chance, stop by the Sheridan Regional Office. We have a visitor center with interesting wildlife displays.
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 4
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
Subscribe Now Mail this form, along with payment, to our office at 707 W. Third St. Gillette, WY 82716
26 Weeks - $25.00 52 Weeks - $50.00
Name Address Phone Number To Pay with a Credit/Debit Card, please call our office at (307) 670-8980 or visit our website at www.CampbellCountyObserver.com
Hunting on Public Lands in the Powder River Basin
While hunting on public lands in the Powder River Basin this fall, hunters may find that some roads they have used in the past are closed this fall. The Bureau of Land Management’s Buffalo Field Office, in coordination with oil and gas operators and private landowners is actively reclaiming habitats within the Powder River Basin after coalbed natural gas development. Some roads in the basin will be closed to motor vehicles in order to re-establish native plant communities and restore grouse and big game habitats. This will result in better wildlife habitat and better hunting opportunities in the future. Please do not park or drive on newly seeded or closed roads/ pipelines. For more information please call the Bureau of Land Management’s Buffalo Field Office at (307) 684-1100.
Hunting License Types What Does That Mean? Type 7 = Reduced price doe/fawn and cow/calf Type 8 = Reduced price doe/fawn white-tailed deer (and could be used as another reduced price license for elk and antelope) Type 9 = Archery only Type 0 = Other specialty weapon (for example muzzleloader) Notice that some licenses are considered “antlerless” and some “doe/fawn” or “cow/calf”. The difference here is the price of the license and how many of that type of license a hunter can legally receive for each species for each hunting season. An “antlerless” license is a full price license and a “doe/fawn” or “cow/ calf” license is a reduced price license. A hunter can legally receive one or more full price license, depending on the species. In addition to the full price license a hunter can have one or more reduced price licenses per species. Hunters do not have to purchase a full price license for a species prior to purchasing reduced price licenses. One situation that Sheridan Regional Game Wardens encounter is hunters purchasing a Type 8 deer license for a hunt area and then harvesting a mule deer doe or fawn. A Type 8 deer license is only valid for white-tailed does or fawns. Another situation game wardens come across in the Sheridan Region is deer hunters harvesting a doe or fawn on public lands with Type 6 licenses in deer Hunt Areas 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, and 33 where a Type 6 deer license is valid only on private lands.
Hunters are encouraged to become familiar with the Wyoming Hunting Regulations for each species they are going to hunt and then obtain the license and type that will reflect where and what they are going to hunt. Regulations for all big game species as well as other species hunters may want to pursue are available at the Sheridan Regional Game and Fish
office and all License Selling Agents as well as on the Game and Fish website at http://wgfd.wyo.gov If, after going over the hunting regulations, hunters still have questions they should contact their local game warden or call the Sheridan Regional office at 307-672-7418 or, if calling from within Wyoming, 1-800-331-9834.
Why Is It? (a/k/a The Advertising Poem) A man wakes up after sleeping under an advertised blanket, on an advertised mattress, pulls off advertised pajamas, bathes in an advertised shower, shaves with an advertised razor, brushes his teeth with advertised toothpaste, washes with advertised soap, puts on advertised clothes, drinks a cup of advertised coffee, drives to work in an advertised car, and then, refuses to advertise, iot Publ believing it doesn’t pay. atr Later when business is poor, he advertises it for sale. Why is it?
ing ish
Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel receive numerous phone calls each year from hunters asking a similar question. That question centers around the difference between general and limited quota licenses for trophy and big game. The difference between these terms is this; a general license is a license that is valid in any hunt area in which licenses have not been totally limited in number, while a limited quota license is a license that is valid in a specific hunt area or hunt areas and is limited in number. Limited quota licenses have further restrictions that are indicated by a license type. So then, what is a license type? The answer is, “Type means a limitation on a license in a particular hunt area for the sex of animal, the species of animal, the length of the season, the type of weapon, or a portion of the hunt area in which the license shall be valid.” When a license type is specified in the hunting regulations a number from 0 to 9 is used to identify the limitations on that license. Below is a list of License Type numbers and what that number means: Type 1 = antlered or any Type 2 = antlered or any Type 3 = antlered or any white-tailed deer (and could be used as another antlered or any for elk or antelope) Type 4 = Full priced antlerless Type 5 = Full priced antlerless Type 6 = Reduced price doe/fawn and cow/calf
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 5
P
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 6
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
In Search of Public Access? Submitted by Mark Holyoak - RMEF Director of Communication
“No trespassing.” The lettering on the sign appeared to stare as intently at me as I stared at it. There it was hanging on the same stretch of barbed wire fencing I’d crossed many times into what was my favorite closest-to-home hunting spot in western Montana. I wasn’t angry. I was mostly stunned. And then reality set in. I was no longer welcome on a tract of land where my son took his first doe at age 12 and where I shot a 5x6 whitetail buck whose antlers still grace my office wall. In my particular case, a regional timber company that historically allows hunters, hikers, huckleberry pickers and others to enjoy their land started selling off large chunks of it as a way to better cope with a declining timber market. Bottom line: I was now permanently on the outside looking in. Unfortunately, this scenario is being played out time and time again involving too many hunters around the nation. In fact, a lack of public access is reported to be the number one cause why hunters stop hunting. Many simply can no longer find a place to hunt so they give it up or, worse yet, decide it’s no longer worth it to pass on their hunting heritage to the next generation. And that decision has much more than just individual consequences. Fewer hunters mean the purchase of fewer guns, ammunitions, bows, arrows and hunting licenses and fees which translates into less revenue generated specifically to fund land and wildlife conservation which is not good for habitat or the critters that rely on it. The mission of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Since 1984, RMEF protected or enhanced more than 6.4 million acres of habitat. If you do the
math, that’s more than 588 acres per day, every day over its 30-year existence. A key part of that mission is an emphasis on public access. To date, RMEF opened or secured more than 716,000 acres for hunters. Again, if you do the math, that’s 65 acres opened or secured per day, every day since 1984. In this “what have you done for me lately” world, RMEF remains active and vigilant. Staffers work with state agencies, federal agencies, landowners and other partner organizations and groups in seeking access to private land and through private land to landlocked public land.
Below are five recent projects highlighting RMEF’s emphasis on public access: July 2014 The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) accepted a $50,000 grant from RMEF for expanding its Access Yes! program that will enroll approximately 40,000 acres of land to provide access to private land for sportsmen and women. IDFG is in a one year time frame between the expiration of a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for access and applying for a second USDA grant. “RMEF is stepping up and helping out
so we don’t have to terminate a number of agreements with landowners during this fall hunting season,” said Virgil Moore, IDFG Director. “We truly appreciate RMEF’s efforts to maintain recreational access for the citizens of Idaho.” May 2014 RMEF teamed up with a group of conservation partners to acquire more than 4,000 acres of what was formerly private forestland in Washington and placed it into public ownership. It will now be manContinued on Page 7
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 7
In Search of Public Access?... Continued from Page 6
April 2014 The Wyoming Game and Fish
Department (WGFD) accepted a $45,000 grant from RMEF to secure access for hunting and fishing through its Access Yes program. Every dollar provides access to 4.2 acres of land so the grant opens the door to approximately 189,000 acres for sportsmen and women. “RMEF is an outstanding partner and supports a variety of wildlife related projects in Wyoming,” said Scott Talbott, WGFD director. “Sportsmen will see many acres become available to them with this amazing RMEF donation.” December 2013 RMEF headed up a group effort to permanently protect and open access to more than 13,000 acres in the Headwaters of the John Day River in northeast Oregon. The transaction also secured access to tens of thousands of surrounding National Forest System lands. “This is a victory for hunter-conservationists, anglers, hikers and anyone who wants public access to more than 13,000 acres of what was previously inaccessible private
land in the heart of Oregon’s elk country,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. September 2013 RMEF improved access to nearly 18,000 acres of National Forest land in central Montana after acquiring a 40-acre tract with a common 30-foot border with public land. RMEF purchased the property for $190,000 and sold it to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for $50,000, in effect donating the remaining balance. “This strikes at the heart of what RMEF is all about,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We are committed to opening more land for hunting and other year-round recreational public access and now the gate is open for hunters to more easily access thousands of acres of elk country previously almost impossible to reach.” My little slice of western Montana hunting heaven may now be off limits but there are efforts to maintain and improve what we have as a whole. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is proud to stand shoulder-toshoulder with sportsmen and women seeking to ensure and strengthen their hunting tradition for now and for generations to come. Go to www.rmef.org for more information.
Need to market Your Business? Call or e-mail today! iot Publ atr
ing ish
P
aged and opened to public access with an emphasis on forest health and public recreation. “This transaction was seven years in the making and involved a great deal of cooperation,” said Blake Henning, RMEF vice president of Lands and Conservation. “The lands acquired from Weyerhaeuser are now permanently protected and transferred to public management thanks to support from the Stemilt Partnership, a group of 25 conservationminded partners.”
Anne Peterson
advertising sales manager annepeterson@campbellcountyobserver.com (307) 299-4662
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 8
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
Governor Defends Wyoming Elk Feedgrounds from Western Watersheds
Wyoming is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit to defend Wyoming’s elk feedgrounds from a challenge by Western Watersheds Project. The Forest Service granted the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission a 20-year special use permit for the elk feedgrounds in 2008. In July
2014, Western Watersheds filed a petition asking for a review of that decision. “The feedgrounds prevent large numbers of elk from dying during the winter, minimize conflicts on ag land, and improve brucellosis screening and vaccination for elk,” Governor Matt Mead said.
“Western Watersheds promotes policies that are extreme. We reject the notion that you cannot balance the environment with industries, especially agriculture. In Wyoming, we continue to set an example for the nation.” The five feedgrounds are located in the
Bridger Teton National Forest. Wyoming has been involved in six other lawsuits against Western Watersheds over the last three and a half years. Wyoming has prevailed in most of them.
Fish Stocked by Helicopter in Snowy Range The Wyoming Game and Fish Department used a helicopter to stock several Snowy Range alpine lakes with trout on August 7. A helicopter is the preferred choice for alpine lake fish stocking as it provides easier access to the lakes and is less stressful for the fish. Fish can be stocked in just minutes using a helicopter, resulting in a high survival rate. Helicopter stocking is normally conduct-
ed in even numbered years in the Snowy Range. Small fingerlings are stocked to allow the helicopter to handle the largest possible number of fish. The following lakes were stocked in the Libby Flats area of the Medicine Bow National Forest: Bear Lake: golden trout South Gap: Bear River cutthroat trout and rainbow trout East Glacier Lake: Bear River cutthroat
trout Golden Lake: Bear River cutthroat trout Shelf Lake #1: golden trout Shelf Lake #2: golden trout Albany South Twin Lake: Bear River cutthroat trout Alpine lakes in the Snowy Range are
highly scenic areas requiring anglers to hike to most of them. Many of Wyoming’s high country lakes are not capable of supporting a reproductive population of fish. Therefore, it becomes necessary to periodically stock these lakes to provide an adequate fishery for backcountry anglers.
Wright Auto Parts, Inc. 111 Rampart Drive 307-464-0133 800-560-0133 wrightauto@collinscom.net
Full Service Mechanic Shop SERVICE TRUCK AVAILABLE
Recreational Light Truck Car Semi-Truck Trailer & Agricultural Tires
24 HOUR SERVICE
1213 Elkhorn Drive Wright, WY Office: 307-464-1450 Cell: (307-359-0683
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 9
Leftover Elk, Deer and Antelope Licenses Now on Sale
Hunters who missed the application periods to get into the drawings for elk, deer and antelope licenses could still have an opportunity to hunt this fall by picking up licenses that were undersubscribed in the initial drawings. Leftover full-price licenses are now being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and recent counts of available licenses show that 771 elk, 461 deer and 3,353 antelope licenses are still remaining. Reduced price licenses are also available for a number of areas and include 6,100 cow/ calf elk, 2,538 doe/fawn deer and 3,097 doe/fawn antelope. Licenses are available to both residents and
nonresidents. Licenses are being sold via the Game and Fish website wgfd.wyo.gov. The website also has a listing of areas where licenses are remaining as well as instructions for applying for licenses online. Access in a few areas with remaining licenses is a mixture of public and private lands. Some elk areas have a fair amount of national forest lands while others are predominantly private. The majority of remaining antelope and deer licenses are for hunt areas where public access is limited. Some of the full-price elk licenses are for hunt areas within national forest lands and most of the remaining licenses are for antlerless
elk only. However, remaining elk licenses also include a few areas with archery only licenses and a handful of licenses that allow the taking of either antlered or antlerless elk. Some areas have limited access provided through the Game and Fish Walk-In Area and Hunter Management programs. Hunters are urged to research areas with leftover licenses, and where necessary, obtain permission to hunt from landowners before applying. Hunters who have questions on hunt areas and applying for licenses can contact the Game and Fish at (307) 777-4600.
Charles McCall Retires from Game and Fish
Charles McCall, engineering design technician has retired after eight years of service with the Game and Fish McCall’s duties with the Game and Fish include producing signs used at access areas, mapping, producing banners and informational signing as well as working on designs for various Game and Fish construction projects. “Charles’ skill set in producing maps, posters, brochures and drawings along with his attention to detail on his creations are second to none,” said Game and Fish chief engineer Dave Bumann. “In addi-
tion, Charles has always been the first to volunteer when somebody needs assistance in the headquarters building and he especially cherishes lending a seasoned hand to youth in one of our many hunting and fishing programs. Many a youngster has been greeted by his kind smile and gentle demeanor.” A native of Telluride Colorado, MCall graduated from Montrose High School and then attended Fort Lewis College in Durango earning a bachelor’s degree in geology. He also served in the U.S. Army for four years.
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 10
Game and Fish Calendar July 1-Sept. 30 Preference point application period continues August 15 - Archery antelope season opens in most hunt areas - Application period begins for Springer and Glendo pheasant permits August 17 Deadline for comments on fish/taxidermy regulations; Click on “Public Meetings� on WGFD website September 1 - Archery deer and elk seasons open in most hunt areas - Small game seasons open for cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hare and red, gray and fox squirrels - Season opens for blue, ruffed and sharp-tailed grouse
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
We want to get it Write. Oops we mean Right. The Observer strives to make news reports fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, Contact us at nicholasdelaat@campbellcountyobserver.com
GUN TRADERS and Surplus Unlimited 801 Carlisle Gillette, WY 82716 307-686-7519
COME SEE OUR UNUSUAL SHOP!
Campbell County Observer/Hunting Guide
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 11
Most Common Archery Questions Archery season is just around the corner with most areas for antelope opening on Aug. 15 and most areas for deer and elk open to archers on Sept. 1. A few areas have different openers so bowhunters should check regulations for seasons in the area they want to hunt. The following are the most common questions asked by archers. • Do I need an archery license in addition to my big game license? Yes…usually. Archers hunting in the archery preseason need an archery permit in most areas. The exception is for holders of Type 9 archery only licenses. Persons holding Type 9 licenses do not need a separate archery license. The archery license does not allow a person to take an extra animal – it simply allows the archer to hunt in the early archery pre-season. • If I don’t get my elk with my bow can I hunt with my rifle when the gun season opens? Usually. Archers who do not fill their tag during the archery season may return and hunt with firearms during the gun season. Once again, the exception is that holders of Type 9 archery only licenses may only hunt during the archery season and may not hunt with firearms during the gun season. • Do I need a separate archery license for each species? No. Only one archery licenses is required to hunt all big and trophy game animals. • Do I need an archery license to
hunt with a bow during the firearm’s season? No. The archery license is only required to hunt in the archery preseason. • Can I wear camouflage clothing when archery hunting? Yes as long as you are hunting in the archery pre-seasons. If you are hunting during the firearm’s season, fluorescent orange clothing is required. • Are mechanical broadheads legal? Yes, as long as the broadhead has a cutting width of one inch. Wyoming law requires that broadheads whether mechanical or fixed, must have a minimum cutting width of one inch. • Can I carry a firearm while archery hunting during the archery season? Yes. However, the law does prohibit the use of firearms in taking or finishing off any big or trophy game animals during the special archery season. • Are crossbows legal during the archery hunt? Yes, as long as they conform to certain specifications. Crossbows must have a minimum draw length of 90 lbs. and the bolt must be at least 16 inches long. The broadhead requirement is the same as with conventional archery equipment and must have a minimum cutting width of one inch. • Can I use the same archery equipment to hunt elk that I use for deer? Possibly….as long as it conforms to minimum draw weight requirements. Regulations require the bow to have a minimum draw of
40 pounds for deer and antelope and 50 pounds for elk and moose. • Are lighted nocks legal? There is no regulation prohibiting the use of lighted nocks. • Is a bowhunter education or hunter safety course required to archery hunt? No. There is an archery section in Wyoming’s hunter safety course, but completion of a hunter safety course is not required to archery hunt in Wyoming. • Are tree stands, blinds, and decoys legal. Yes in all instances. You may put up a blind on public lands, but the blind must be removed once the archery season is over. More detailed information on archery seasons, regulations, and hunting equipment is found in the Archery and hunting information section in the big game regulations for each species.
OLD’S PROCESSING Serving Gillette for over 30 years
• Wild Game Processing (Sausage & Jerky Available) • Complete Taxidermy Service • Shipping Anywhere in U.S.A. • Open 8 AM
908 1/2 E. 4th
In alley between 4th & 5th St.
Gillette, WY 82716 (307) 682-3385
We’re the game processing experts!
August 15 - 22, 2014 Page 12
Campbell County Observer
• WY Game and Fish Hunter Assistance Program Gillette Visitor Center 307-686-0040 • Kiwanis Hunter Feed, Sat. Sept 28, 6pm at Cam-Plex, Gillette • Hunter/Rancher Chili Feed, Mon. Sept 30, 5:30pm at Wright Town Hall, Wright