CASPER — The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission held its regular meeting in Casper July 15-16. The Commission discussed and voted on several regulation changes, and also recognized local industry and Wyoming Game and Fish Department employee achievements.
The Commission reviewed and approved recommendations to revise Chapter 44 Section 8, Regulation for Issuance of Licenses, Permits, Stamps, Tags, Preference Points, and Competitive Raffle Chances, specifically expanding the definition of “immediate family member” to include step-family members. However, previous proposals to modify required acreage, animal use days and property interest were removed from consideration following extensive public discussion and feedback received by the department. During their discussion, the Commission directed the Department to complete an evaluation of all existing qualifying properties within the next three years to ensure they continue to meet the requirements of the regulation. An update on progress will be presented to the Commission next year. The Commission will revisit this topic as necessary.
The Commission also voted to approve recommendations for Chapter 46, Fishing Regulations. These changes prohibit pegged attractors on the Cardwell and Gray Reef sections of the North Platte River. Additionally, single-point barbless hooks will be required across all four special regulation sections — Miracle Mile, Cardwell, Afterbay and Gray Reef. These updates aim to reduce severe injuries to fish in heavily utilized catch-and-release areas, addressing concerns that high rates of injured fish are suppressing populations.
Changes to Chapter 22, Watercraft Regulation, were also approved. These proposed changes added prohibition of certain motorized vessels on several small Wyoming waterways deemed unsafe for their operation. These recommendations were made in response to increased motorized boat traffic in small bodies of water traditionally used by non-motorized watercraft.
Following department recommendations, the Commission adopted the majority of the proposals for Chapter 42 regulations for mountain lion hunting seasons, however, based on public comment and robust discussion, the mortality limits for hunt areas 5 and 6 remained where they were for the previous harvest cycle. Commission Regulation Chapter 47, Grey Wolf Hunting Seasons, were approved as proposed by the Department.
During the meeting, Game and Fish employees from various departments were recognized for their service. This included a Lifetime Achievement Award presented to retired wildlife division business office coordinator Bea Nicholas, who served the agency from 1986 until her retirement earlier this year.
“Bea was the backbone of our wildlife division administration office for more than 3 and a half decades,” Bruce said. “She provided exceptional support and leadership in accomplishing multiple objectives for the wildlife division and the department as a whole. Her intimate knowledge of our agency’s needs have made her an invaluable part of Game and Fish.”
Personnel from the Game and Fish Sheridan Region were recognized for their emergency wildlife care efforts during and after the 2024 Elk Fire. The group was instrumental in rebuilding protective fence lines and providing emergency feeding solutions for elk herds to mitigate damage and encroachment on private lands following the fire, which affected more than 90,000 acres in Sheridan County.
Also recognized during the meeting was the Powder River Energy Corporation — PRECorp — who received the 2024 Industry Wildlife Stewardship Award.
This award recognizes private companies in Wyoming who have significantly contributed to wildlife stewardship projects, and have collaborated with Game and Fish to go above and beyond standard regulatory requirements to help conserve habitat and wildlife in the state.
The entire meeting will be available to watch and posted on the Commission page of the Game and Fish website.
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