Wyoming Game and Fish looks for public input

Game and Fish Department has begun collaborative process on trapping

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department in partnership with the University of Wyoming Extension Office is holding a set of collaborative meetings focused on trapping. The public can attend one of the five meetings in-person or one of the final two meetings virtually.  

Meeting materials

• Agenda of meetings for collaborative process
• Handouts for VIRTUAL meetings
• Rock Springs notes, September 1
• Jackson notes, September 2
• Sheridan notes, September 3
• Laramie virtual meeting notes, September 9
• Laramie in-person meeting notes, September 9
• Lander virtual meeting notes, September 10
• Lander in-person meeting notes, September 10

Meeting information
 

Please keep in mind that in-person meetings will be limited to 50 people. Virtual meetings will be held on Sept. 9th and 10th. Follow the steps below to pre-register for a meeting.You may find it helpful to have the handouts for the meetings.

Zoom Links for Pre-Registration at Virtual Meetings:

• Sept. 9, 2020 - Pre-register here: https://uwyo.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAud-6upzgvEte6iL-s6QGyhYhhxJpkWFZS  and you will receive a confirmation email with the link to join the meeting. 
• Sept. 10, 2020 - Pre-register here: https://uwyo.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMrdO6rqT0rHtIxw8oS75T5RCPrw9Do_Me7  and you will receive a confirmation email with the link to join the meeting. 

Meetings begin at 6:00 pm and dates and locations are as follows: 

At each meeting, the public will be presented with, and able to discuss and provide input on, recommendations based on stakeholder contacts and comments. Recently, the Game and Fish formed an internal working group that gathered input from stakeholders around the state related to potential trapping statute and regulation changes. The group contacted over 140 members of the public with diverse interests related to trapping to gain a better understanding of the public’s desires for change. The group reviewed public comments regarding trapping statutes and regulations and the history of Wyoming State Statutes and regulation changes pertaining to trapping. 

In reviewing this information, several common themes emerged and were identified for further development through the public collaborative process. Common themes include recommending mandatory trapper education, developing trapping awareness education for public land users, reducing the check period for snares, looking into setbacks from trails and developed areas where traps/snares can be set and more. 

“We have had the opportunity to visit with a variety of people across the state individually to this point, and these meetings now are the chance for even more stakeholders to come together and hear from each other while providing input on any potential statute or regulation changes and educational opportunities related to trapping,” says Jason Hunter, Lander Region wildlife supervisor and lead of the internal working group. 

Game and Fish Wildlife Division Chief Rick King discusses the next steps, “The working group will use the information provided during these meetings to develop regulatory recommendations for the Game and Fish Commission to consider as well as identify potential statute changes to discuss with the Wyoming Legislature.” 

Click here to pre-register to attend virtually or to view the meeting information. 

These meetings will abide by current Wyoming Public Health Orders. Social distancing will be encouraged, and face coverings are recommended (required in Teton County), primarily when social distancing cannot be maintained. Game and Fish recognizes some individuals may have a strong desire to participate in one of these meetings, but current health restrictions or personal preferences may make that difficult. Attending virtually will still facilitate participation while allowing room for all individuals who wish to attend. If in-person meetings need to be canceled, please plan to attend one of the two virtual meetings.