Game and Fish manages 205 Public Access Areas (PAAs) and 48 Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMAs) statewide. These lands, along with those enrolled in the Access Yes program, represent vital partnerships with private landowners and are managed to provide access for hunting, fishing and wildlife-related recreation.
Vandalism commonly occurs on informational signs on Game and Fish property and public access areas. Signs are shot up and often rendered completely illegible. Unfortunately, vandalism, littering and illegal dumping continue to divert critical resources away from access and habitat improvements. Game and Fish estimates it spends $60,000 to $70,000 annually to repair or replace damaged property across access areas statewide.
These kinds of misuse led private landowners at the Rock Springs Grazing Association to enroll their lands in the Access Yes program in 2022, in an effort to combat the destructive behaviors of users who were abusing the resources. Despite increased enforcement and the status as a walk-in area, misuse has continued to impact the 25,000-acre access area.
Recently, a local Boy Scout troop came across a 15-foot-diameter fire pit where people had burned pallets, leaving behind a pile of nails and litter. The vandals had also sawed into living cottonwood trees and attempted to burn logs from the dormant trees. Two members of BSA Troop #4, along with a couple of their parents, spent an afternoon cleaning up the unsightly mess.
A visit to the access area by Game and Fish led to the discovery of additional evidence of misuse. Shot-up signs, litter, and more evidence of burned pallets marred the otherwise beautiful access area. Acts of vandalism similar to these have led to the complete closure of some access areas around the state, and ultimately cost the public through the loss of wild places to enjoy responsibly.
To report vandalism or misuse of an access area or wildlife habitat management area, call your local Game and Fish warden, local law enforcement or the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP.
