Mule Deer Fanatic

POOR FORAGE GROWTH HAS G&F RECOMMENDING AGAINST WINTER RANGE EXCEPTIONS

11/3/2006

PINEDALE – With word of requests for exceptions from big game winter range closures by natural gas companies in the Pinedale area, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is recommending the Bureau of Land Management deny the requests based on poor forage production this past summer.

“We’ve just finished looking at the shrub production data for our winter ranges this past growing season and it is abysmal,” said the Game and Fish’s Jackson/Pinedale Wildlife Supervisor Bernie Holz. “There is going to be very little forage for those antelope and mule deer this winter and we cannot in good conscience support any additional stress being placed on those animals from gas development activities on crucial winter ranges.”

Each year Game and Fish biologists measure “leader growth,” which is the new growth on shrubs from the current growing season that browsing animals like antelope and mule deer survive on through winter. Average leader production on sagebrush was only 0.3 inches compared to 1.07 inches the past couple years. The sagebrush data from the Pinedale Mesa showed even less at 0.12 inches.

Mountain mahogany production averaged 0.85 inches as compared to 3.94 inches the past couple years and bitterbrush averaged 2.55 inches of leader growth this year compared to 7.18 inches the past couple years.

“You can see how much difference summer moisture can make, but we just didn’t get it this year,” said the Game and Fish’s Pinedale Habitat Biologist Nick Scribner. “Several of the sagebrush plants we measured this year had zero leader growth on the entire plant. All they did was kick out leaves. And very little seed, if any, was produced by shrubs this year.”

The Game and Fish is concerned there could be significant antelope and mule deer winter losses in the Pinedale area, even with average winter conditions, given the lack of forage production.

“Even last year, with the better shrub production, we had a fair amount of deer die over the winter along the Wind River Front,” said Scribner. “It figures to be much worse this year considering we only have 30 percent, or less, of the forage production we had the previous two years.”

(contact: Scott Smith (307) 367-4353 or Mark Gocke (307) 733-2331)

-WGFD-

WYOMING RESPONDS TO THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE’S REFUSAL TO DELIST WOLVES

10/6/2006

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has responded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent denial of Wyoming’s petition to remove gray wolves from the Endangered Species List in the Northern Rocky Mountains.

In a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director Mitch King, Game and Fish Department Director Terry Cleveland said the service’s analysis of Wyoming’s petition is “flawed in various aspects and is lacking depth and understanding of several issues brought forth in Wyoming’s petition.“

The denial of Wyoming’s petition is based on disagreements about the urgency of the need to delist wolves in Wyoming and the adequacy of Wyoming’s proposed plan to maintain wolves above distribution and recovery goals.The wolf population in Wyoming continues to grow by about 20 percent per year. Based on the most recent counts, there were 309 wolves in Wyoming in 31 packs, including at least 24 potential breeding pairs – more than three times the original recovery goal for the entire Greater Yellowstone Area, which also includes portions of Idaho and Montana. There are more than 1,200 wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountain population – more than four times the original recovery goal.

Biologists estimate that approximately 22 ungulates (mostly elk) per wolf are lost each year to wolf predation. Since 2003, an average of 69 cattle have been killed by wolves annually in Wyoming. These are confirmed wolf kills only, and recent research has found that as few as 25 percent of livestock depredations are actually discovered.

“Given the rapid recovery of wolves and their effects on Wyoming’s wildlife and livestock, delisting is long overdue,“ said Cleveland. “Wyoming’s plan will work. But the service is delaying the delisting process by selectively using data and references that seem to support its case while ignoring other data and the preponderance of evidence that Wyoming’s plan will ensure a recovered population of wolves. Overall, their rebuttal of Wyoming’s wolf plan is highly flawed based on unrealistic assumptions, misinterpretation of data, misrepresentation of Wyoming’s wolf plan under Wyoming Statute and hypothetical examples that are infeasible or highly unrealistic under Wyoming’s management plan.“

Wolves were reintroduced from Canada into Yellowstone National Park in 1995. Wolf numbers first reached the criteria for a recovered population in 2000.

Before the Northern Rocky Mountain population of wolves can be removed from the Endangered Species List, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must approve wolf management plans developed by Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The service has approved plans developed by Idaho and Montana but has rejected Wyoming’s.

In July of 2005, Wyoming filed a petition to remove wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains from the Endangered Species List. In August of 2006, the service denied that petition.

Wyoming plans to file litigation in federal court in early October to seek a ruling that Wyoming’s wolf management plan constitutes an adequate regulatory mechanism, and an order directing the service to proceed with delisting the gray wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
(contact: Eric Keszler (307) 777-4594)

-WGFD-

NONRESIDENT PREFERENCE POINTS ENTER SECOND YEAR

12/22/2006

CHEYENNE – Should I apply for only a preference point? Do I apply for just a license or should I apply for both? These are questions nonresident hunters will need to answer as the new deer, elk, and antelope application periods draw near.

The coming of the new year will mark the second year that preference points are available for nonresidents who wish to apply for elk, deer and antelope licenses. The preference points system was implemented in 2006 following numerous requests from hunters to develop a system that would reward perseverance in applying for hard-to-draw areas.

The preference point system is optional. Nonresidents who apply for a license with the preference point purchase option will be awarded a point if unsuccessful for drawing a license on their first choice. Hunters who apply for a license and preference point purchase and are successful in drawing a license on their second or later choice will still be awarded a point. This gives hunters the option of applying for a hard-to-draw area on their first choice, listing an easy-to-draw area on their second and still build preference points for future years.

Cost of the preference point is $50 for elk, $40 for deer, $30 for antelope and $10 for each species for youth under 18. Hunters who wish to apply for a preference point only without the possibility of drawing a license will need to wait until July 1, at which time preference point purchase only applications will be available in hard copy and on the Game and Fish website.

According to license section manager Jean Cole, there will be a statistical advantage in building up points as 75 percent of licenses will be issued to those with highest point totals. “The remaining 25 percent will be issued in a random drawing which at least will give all applicants a mathematical possibility of drawing a license regardless of preference point totals,” Cole said.

The elk, deer and antelope license preference point system is only for nonresident licenses. Both residents and nonresidents have had a similar system in place for moose and bighorn sheep for a number of years. Hunters with questions can call the Game and Fish at 307-777-4600.
(Contact: Al Langston)

-WGFD-

Wyoming is the Golden Egg for non-resident Mule Deer hunters. If you want to apply to hunt Mule Deer in Wyoming, the time is growing short. The application deadline is March 15. So Hurry! Just about any area will do, but SouthWestern Wyoming is my pick.

Other nearby posts have additional information.

Apply online at https://gf.state.wy.us/elsapplication/ELSTerms.aspx . Before applying have the following information readily available: species, draw, hunt area, type, party info, credit card info.

Link to Map: Click here

Customer Service: (307) 777-4600.

Other information useful to the Mule Deer Hunter

Application Fee Information. A nonrefundable application fee of $12.00 is included in the amount to be remitted for each big game license applied for in the Initial or Leftover drawings.

Computer Drawing. In an attempt to assure fairness, all Limited Quota licenses are allocated to applicants on the basis of randomly generated numbers through a computerized drawing system.

If the applicant is successful, the license and a copy of the regulations should be mailed within 15 days of the selection date. License fees are returned to unsuccessful applicants and to persons whose applications and/or fees submitted are improper. All refunds will be issued in the name of the applicant, regardless of who submitted the fee accompanying the application. Applicants who underpay or overpay their fees will receive a separate refund by August, following completion of all regular drawings. Any refunds overpayment in a party application will be made to the first applicant entered in the party, regardless of the payor.

Applicants for deer licenses should be aware both mule and white-tailed deer inhabit Wyoming. Licenses may be valid either species, or licenses may be restricted to or only. Before applying for a Deer license, the applicant should review the tentative Deer hunting information, specifically the limitations column, to determine the species of Deer for which the license is valid in a specific hunt area. Nonresident Deer licenses are either Region General licenses or Limited Quota licenses valid in specific hunt area(s). Check the hunt area, type and limitation columns on page 23. For region licenses, place the letter of the region you prefer to hunt and do not enter a specific hunt area number. Regions and their hunt areas are listed around the border of the Deer map on page 22. Region General licenses are not valid in hunt areas that are totally limited in quota. you want to apply a license, list the specific hunt area and type on the application.

Special Archery Seasons are established for nearly all Big Game hunt areas by the Commission. Season dates are not available at press time, but most open September 1. Some archery seasons for Antelope open on August 15. Information on these seasons will be available on or about May 5. Hunters holding General or Limited Quota hunting licenses may hunt with bow and arrow or crossbow during Special Archery Seasons if they first obtain an Archery license. Only one Archery license is required for a Big Game and Trophy Game species. This license qualifies the holder to hunt Big Game and Trophy Game during Special Archery Seasons in areas for which they also have a valid hunting license. Archery licenses are available at License Selling Agents statewide. Do not purchase an Archery license until you have received notification of drawing results.Some Big Game hunt areas offer hunting licenses for Archery Only. These licenses are designated as Type 9 licenses in the Hunting Season Tables. Type 9 Elk licenses are often available as Leftover licenses. Holders of Type 9 licenses are not required to obtain an Archery license in addition to the Limited Quota Archery Only license, but are restricted to hunting only in the area(s) and during the season specified for that license type.Persons hunting with archery equipment during regular firearms season need not obtain an Archery license.

Hiring Outfitters and Guides. Wyoming Statute states, “No person shall directly or indirectly compensate a person holding himself out as engaging in the business of, or acting in the capacity of, an outfitter or a professional guide unless that person provides proof that he is a licensed outfitter or professional guide as required by State law.” Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor…”Before hiring an outfitter, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department advises that hunters check with the Wyoming State Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides (http://outfitters.state.wy.us) to verify that the outfitter is licensed by the State of Wyoming. Hunters should be aware that landowners engaging in outfitting or guiding activities on their own land are exempt from licensure by the Board. Specifically, W.S. 23-2-406(a)(ii)(B) states: “Landowner” means any person, firm or corporation holding title to, or occupying under a contract of purchase, agricultural land or any person whose family owns at least a majority of the stock in a Wyoming corporation and who provides services specified in this paragraph on lands owned by the corporation and used primarily for agricultural purposes.” Contact: Wyoming State Board of Outfitters, at the above address.

Animal/Type ~ License Type ~ App Period ~ Drawing ~ Results ~ Price

Deer~ Region General & Lim Quota (p. 23) ~ Jan. 1-Mar. 15 ~ July 23 ~ July 10 ~ $273
Youth Deer**~ Reg Gen & Lim Quota (p. 23) ~Jan. 1-Mar. 15 ~July 23~ July 10~ $122
Special Deer~ Region Gen & Lim Quota (p. 23)~ Jan. 1-Mar. 15~ July 23~ July 10~ $473
Landownr Deer~ Reg Gen & Lim Quota (p. 23)~ Jan. 1-Mar. 15~ July 23~ July 10~ $273
Landnr Youth De**~ Reg Gen Lim Quo (p. 23)~ Jan. 1-Mar. 15~ July 23~ July 10~ $122
Preference Point Only~ Form 30 Available Via Web Sit~ Jul 1-Sept. 30~~~~ $40
Preference Point Only-Youth**~ Form 30 Avail Via Web~ Jul 1-Sept. 30~~~ $10

Deer-Reduced Price
Doe/Fawn Deer~ Limited Quota (p. 25)~ Jan. 1-Mar. 15~ July 23~ July 10~ $41*
Doe/Fawn Youth Deer**~ Limited Quota (p. 25)~ Jan. 1-Mar. 15~ July 23~July 10~ $31*

*Note: Amount to be remitted includes nonrefundable $12.00 application fee.
**See page 51 for a definition of a “youth applicant.”

How to Apply for WYOMING Nonresident and Resident Adult and Youth Licenses 

Step 1:  Welcome Page and Credit Card Advice 

Read the Welcome page and click on any links you need to get all of your information gathered and organized.  At a minimum, you will need to know:

• Your Sportsman ID number, or last name, date-Of-birth (DOB), and zip code
• If you are a resident or nonresident
• Which Draw you are applying for.  If you are a nonresident and applying for elk deer or antelope, decide whether you are applying for a special draw and whether you want to purchase a point for the next year
• What hunt area and type is your first choice, second choice, and third choice if applicable.
• Are you planning on donating to Search & Rescue and/or Access Yes
• Your credit card number and other card information that may be required
  

Next, fully read the credit card notice, and agree with its terms if you choose to apply online.  If you do not agree, you may apply with a paper application, using a personal check or money order. 

Step 2:  Log yourself into the system 

If you have preference points for any one of our draws, or have applied before, you should be in our customer database.  Simply enter your Sportsman ID and date-of-birth (DOB), or last name, DOB, and the zip code (the last one we would have on file for you.) 

If you have never applied for a limited quota license in Wyoming, then follow the New Sportsman, Create Account screens

Step 3:  Add, Review and Update your Personal Information 

If you are a returning sportsman, please update any incorrect information.  If you are a new sportsman, please fill out the required information on the screen.

Step 4: Choose Your Residency

Toward the top of the Add, Review and Update Screen, there is a “Are You a Wyoming Resident?” Field.  Answer that appropriately as per W.S. § 23-1-102(a)(ix) and W.S. § 23-1-107. 

If you are a Wyoming Resident, you are required to comply with W.S. § 23-1-102(a)(ix) and W.S. § 23-1-107 by:

1. Reading the Wyoming State Statutes listed in the box
2. Clicking the I swear, under penalty of prosecution, that I am a Wyoming Resident as defined by W.S. § 23-1-102(a)(ix) and W.S. § 23-1-107 check box
3. Providing either your continuous years residency or Days Active Duty Military as defined in Wyoming Statute.
4. Providing either your current Wyoming Drivers License, Wyoming State ID, or filling out the online affidavit, all in accordance with Wyoming State Statute.
   

Step 5: Pick A Hunting Application to apply for

Choose the draw and species from the list available to you.  The list is displayed based on your age, residency, open application dates, and applicable time period limitations on moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat. 

Step 6: Application Type Selection

At this point you must choose whether you want to apply as an Individual, are the first applicant for a party meaning you are a “Party Organizer”, or want to join a party as a “Party Member”.

• Individual – simply click individual and go to Step 7, Fill out the application.
• Party Organizer – Choose Party Organizer and hit ENTER.  The next screen will show you your Party ID.  You will have to give this Party ID to the members of your party.  It is required that they know and use the Party ID when they apply to successfully join your party.  After you write down the party ID, click enter to go to the next screen (see step 7).
• Party Member – If you choose “Party Member”, you must enter in the Party ID.  Party ID’s have no spaces or special characters.  Once you enter the party ID, you will be taken to the application screen, but will not be able to change the hunt area or type since party applications have to have matching species, draw, hunt area and type.
  

Step 7: Fill out the application

After choosing a draw, you will need to provide specific information for that draw including hunt area, type, preference point purchase(if applicable), withdrawal block (if applicable) and quantity (if applicable).  If you applied as a “Party Member”, you will NOT be allowed to change the species, draw, hunt area or type.

Step 8: READ the Application Review screen

CAREFULLY review the Application Review screen to ensure that your choices match what you had intended to apply for.  If the information is accurate, choose “Add to Shopping Cart”.  If you need to make changes or do not wish to complete the application at this time, you may choose “CANCEL”.

Step 9: Shopping Cart

The first step to completing the application process is to CAREFULLY REVIEW ALL INFORMATION ON THE SHOPPING CART SCREEN.  You may choose to hit the “DELETE” button on any application you choose not to apply and pay for at this time.  You may choose “Check Out Now” to pay for your selections, or “Add Another Application”, to apply for an additional draw. 

By clicking “Check Out Now”, you are swearing that “Under penalty of prosecution, I swear or affirm that the information given by me on this application is true and correct”

Step 10: Billing Information

Verify the Application Total listed at the top of the page matches the total amount you are authorizing to be charged to your credit card.

Complete all of the information as requested.  By clicking “Submit”, you authorize full payment of the Application Total above.

Step 11: Receipt

At the conclusion of your transaction, you will see a receipt detailing information about your transaction.  You should print this and keep it for your records.

If you ever have a question about your credit card charge, the receipt number will be important for reference. 

The party id is also printed on the receipt as well as a recap of your application information.

Preference Points for Elk, Deer and Antelope

FOR NONRESIDENTS ONLY

An optional Preference Point system was instituted beginning in 2006 for Elk, Deer and Antelope. In 2007, hunters, who were awarded a Preference Point in 2006, will have an advantage in the license draw.

Beginning in 2007, the Department shall allocate not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the available nonresident Elk, Deer and Antelope licenses to a preference point drawing and twenty-five percent (25%) of the available nonresident Elk, Deer and Antelope licenses will be assigned to a random drawing in which all unsuccessful applicants from the preference point drawing shall be placed.

For party applications, the number of preference points for each applicant within the party will be averaged for the preference point ranking to be used for the ranking in the preference point drawing.

NEW for hunt year 2007 is the TIME PERIOD for only purchasing a Preference Point without applying for a hunting license. Purchasing ONLY A PREFERENCE POINT can ONLY OCCUR from July 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007. This is a CHANGE from 2006. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE A PREFERENCE POINT ONLY during any of the initial license application periods. YOU MUST WAIT until July 1st to purchase only a Preference Point. The price is $50.00 for Elk, $40.00 for Deer and $30.00 for Antelope ($10.00 for youth for each species). There is NO APPLICATION FEE TO PURCHASE A PREFERENCE POINT ONLY.

REMEMBER, a PREFERENCE POINT ONLY PURCHASE is DIFFERENT THAN an application for a license with a PREFERENCE POINT OPTION. THE PREFERENCE POINT OPTION takes place during the initial license application periods. If you elect this OPTION when applying for an Elk, Deer or Antelope license, the fee, which you must remit with your application for a regular elk license, is $543.00 ($12.00 application fee, $481.00 license fee and $50.00 preference point fee). Regular deer license is $313.00 ($12.00 application fee, $261.00 license fee and $40.00 preference point fee). Regular antelope license is $268.00 ($12.00 application fee, $226.00 license fee and $30.00 preference point fee).

To purchase a Preference Point, an applicant must be at least eleven (11) years old at the time of application and be at least twelve (12) years old by December 31 of the year of application.

An applicant may fail to apply for a license or fail to purchase a Preference Point for one (1) year without losing accumulated Preference Points. However, if an applicant fails to properly apply for a license or purchase a Preference Point for two consecutive years, the accumulated Preference Points will be deleted.

The Preference Point system is designed to award a point for each unsuccessful draw attempt in a hard to draw area for individuals who elect the PREFERENCE POINT OPTION and remit the additional Preference Point fees, yet not penalize those who wish to list an easier to draw area on their second or third choice. If a person draws on the second or third choice when electing the PREFERENCE POINT OPTION, a Preference Point will be awarded even though a license is issued. If the person is successful in drawing his or her first choice, then all Preference Points are deleted but the preference point fee paid for that year is refunded. DRAWING A SECOND OR THIRD CHOICE DOES NOT CAUSE PREFERENCE POINTS TO BE DELETED.

Some suggestions when applying for licenses with the PREFERENCE POINT OPTION: DO NOT apply for an easy to draw area for your first choice. If you do and are successful, then all of your accumulated preference points will be deleted and the odds of drawing a license in a hard to draw area may be greatly diminished for the next couple of years. For example, a person applying for Antelope might list area 57/type 1 as a first choice and area 26/type 1 as the second. Based on past years, drawing odds in area 57/type 1 are less than ten (10) percent but area 26/type 1 has been a 100 % draw on all choices. Under the Preference Point system, a person, if not drawn for area 57 would be issued a Preference Point for Antelope if he or she elected the PREFERENCE POINT OPTION, and would also be awarded an area 26 Antelope license if the additional Preference Point fee was remitted as identified above.

To summarize, please remember there is a difference between PREFERENCE POINT ONLY PURCHASES and an application for a license with the PREFERENCE POINT OPTION. A PREFERENCE POINT ONLY PURCHASE APPLICATION (no chance to draw a license) CAN ONLY be submitted from July 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007. An application for a license with the PREFERENCE POINT OPTION can only be made during the applicable initial draw periods.

If you have any doubt, please call (307) 777-4600 or go to our Web Site at http://gf.state.wy.us where the difference between PREFERENCE POINT ONLY PURCHASES and PREFERENCE POINT OPTIONS WITH LICENSE APPLICATIONS will be further

explained.

NEW GAME AND FISH RULE CREATES PREFERENCE POINT ONLY APPLICATION PERIOD

9/8/2006

CHEYENNE – A new Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Rule, outlined in Chapter 44, established a new preference point only application period.

Hunters wishing to apply for only a preference point, but no big game licenses in a given season, must now do so between July 1 and Sept. 30.

“Because of the new preference point system, we received an increased volume of new applications to process during the 2006 big game application period,” says Jean Cole, Game and Fish license manager. “The preference point only application period will cut down on the number of applications we handle during the critical time of the big game application period.”

Because the rule takes effect immediately, hunters who have not yet applied for or received a preference point in 2006 can still apply for their point through Sept. 30, 2006, including nonresident deer, antelope, elk, moose and bighorn sheep and resident moose and sheep. Preference point applications are available on the Game and Fish Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us.

(contact: Teresa Cole)

-WGFD-