Wyoming Wildlife
Federation
2011 Winter Pronghorn
This Year at WWF
2011 Wyoming Game and Fish
Department's Hunting and Fishing Expo -
The 2011 Wyoming Game and Fish Department's
Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo was busy and
exciting. Our booth was buzzing with students
learning about the important role that the Land
and Water Conservation Fund plays in protecting
lands valued for their hunting, fishing, and
recreation opportunities. Visitors to the booth
were also able to test their knowledge of the
signs left by Wyoming's wildlife at the scat
table and their throwing ability at the
wildlife themed beanbag toss.
Perhaps the biggest lesson learned at this year's Expo is that Matthew Copeland and I really need to practice shooting clays. WWF was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in the Pentathlon event, where teams test their skills in shooting, archery, and fishing. We had the chance to compete against current and former WGFD Commissioners, the Governor's office, WGFD Director, and the media. Matthew and I were lucky to be joined by Reg Rothwell, who was able to carry the weight of our team in the shot gun portion. We didn't win this year, but had a great time and will be all practiced up next year.
(Photo taken by Mark Gocke)
Wyoming Mule Deer Initiative - This year saw the adoption of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Wyoming Range Mule Deer Initiative and the launch of the Platte Valley Mule Deer Initiative. Both initiatives emerged out of recognition of the importance of these herds to the public. Through this public process, WGFD has sought to develop a management plan specific to each herd through collaborative learning.
I would like to offer kudos to the WGFD for taking on this initiative and making an honest effort to educate and involve the public in management of mule deer. There are many theories and opinions on the best way to manage big game and it seems no matter the decision, there will always be someone who feels slighted. Personally, the initiative has been a great opportunity for me to learn about mule deer and different consequences of management decisions. For all the differences of opinion on how to manage mule deer, I think there was one principle that stood out: every person in attendance -WGFD employee and member of the public alike - is passionate about mule deer.
Upper North Platte River Valley - Voices of the Valley hosted its second round of community conversations this past year. Annual flooding emerged as an issue affecting the community of Saratoga: from coast to the town, to loss of recreational opportunity the river has been and is on everyone's mind. The Voices of the Valley team recognized an opportunity to be a resource for the community's effort to manage the river. We have sought out a community planning grant which will help the town of Saratoga with planning efforts and incorporate community outreach efforts for a river restoration project. The river project is important for protection of Saratoga and an excellent opportunity for sportsmen, as improving the fishery will be an important component.
Wyoming Range - The Wyoming Range has been on our radar with the 136 proposed gas well Plains PXP project in the Hoback Basin and the 44,000 contested acres on the eastern border. The USFS has asked for additional analysis to be developed in a new alternative under the Hoback Basin project and additional analysis to be gathered for the Forest Service's work on the 44,000 acres. WWF is supportive of these efforts because we want the USFS to be in a strong position legally and we believe it is better to have all of the regulations and scientific data reviewed during the initial stages instead of waiting until near completion. We will keep you abreast of any Forest Service decisions as they come about.
PAWG - Pinedale Anticline Working Group - My first year on the PAWG has been productive, but I strive to complete more. We have been able to implement habitat improvement projects for mule deer in transition areas and in their crucial range. We are overseeing the creation of a water brochure that will help landowners and citizens with what impacts oil and gas development has or doesn't have on water wells. We have also worked to improve reclamation efforts on reseeding techniques that will increase the chances for native plants to grow and reduce the spread of invasive plant species. I will continue my position on the PAWG through 2012.
Courtney Amerine, Field Organizer
Joy Bannon, Interim Executive Director, Field Director
Acronyms
"Now that you're WWF's PLO, we're
going to need you to work on the RS BLM RMP PDQ
and any near-term EISs that may affect it.
Basic NGO work really. 10-4?"
If it just occurred to you that you were trying to read a bowl of alphabet soup, than you have some idea of how my first few weeks on the job felt. Not only does this stuff come with its own language, but in my experience, becoming fluent in TLA (three letter acronyms) is only the beginning. Effectiveness requires more than basic definitions. If you want to get things done, you need to know that these terms actually mean. Let me share some particularly valuable nuggets that I've collected so far.
At the heart of my current work as the Public Lands Organizer (PLO) lies the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) process. The BLM is tasked with managing more than 245 million surface acres of public land and 700 million subsurface acres of mineral estate for a variety of uses: energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, timber harvesting, and protection of natural, cultural, and historical resources, just to name a few. Ultimately the bureau, and its staff of 10,000 work to sustain the health, productivity, and diversity of America's public lands (land that belongs to you, me and every o
ther American)
for the use and enjoyment of present and future
generations. With such an enormous diversity of
resources, and an equally complex set of
interests in those resources, this is no small
job. Luckily they have clear statutory and
regulatory guidelines on how to proceed. One
big tool at their disposal is the RMP.
Periodically, each of the 125 BLM field offices, including the ten we have here in Wyoming, must revise, update and rewrite its RMP. These documents, typically running into the many hundreds of pages, painstakingly catalog all of the resources present in that field office's particular patch, and outline how the BLM intends to manage those resources for the public good, into the foreseeable future - often a couple of decades or longer. What areas are suitable for oil and gas development and with what restrictions? How about rights of way (ROW) for wind and other renewable energy opportunities? Where should they allow grazing and in what densities? Are there parcels with particular recreation values that should be protected as such? Designated wilderness? What historic, prehistoric and archeological sites are present and what needs to be done or not done with them? How should hunting, fishing and other wildlife related uses be accounted for? How can all of these considerations overlap and work well together? These are the types of questions that are analyzed, answered and laid down as the long-term law of the land in every resource management plan.
As you might imagine, this planning process requires years of hard work and the involvement of thousands - government professionals, corporate consultants and private citizens - to complete. That's where your Wyoming Wildlife Federation (WWF) comes in. While there are certainly a myriad appropriate uses for Wyoming's 17.5 million acres of BLM surface lands and 40.7 million acres of federal mineral estate, we believe that none is more important than the fish, wildlife and habitat that make our hunting and fishing way of life possible. As such, we make it our business to stay as informed as possible, and engage with the broad array of other stakeholders to ensure that those values are accounted for and prioritized in any plan.
In the past few years we've seen
new RMP's completed for the Kemmerer (2010),
Rawlins (2008), Pinedale (2008) and Casper
(2007) field offices. Currently, The
Worland/Bighorn Basin office is 3 years into a
revision process that will ultimately combine
three aged RMPs into one new one, the Lander
field office has released a draft of their own
revised RMP and the Rock Springs field office
(RS) is just out of the gates preparing a new
one for their patch. In other words, we're
hopping pretty darn quick (PDQ) to ensure that
the hunting, fishing and wildlife opportunities
so valued by our 5,000 plus members are
appropriately represented.
So what does that look like? Well in the big horn basin, after a great deal of investigation and collaboration we offered comments to the BLM with proposed amendments to an otherwise agreeable preferred alternative. Specifically we sought more contiguous chunks of undisturbed land in critical big game habitat and proposed a 500 foot buffer around known cutthroat waters. In Lander WWF has been busy fine-tooth combing the draft RMP's contents and discussing our interpretation with state and federal agencies, WWF members, and other non-profit groups. In Rock Springs, the process isn't yet open to the public. Currently, the cooperating agencies - state and federal governmental groups whose work has bearing on BLM lands - are meeting to define the scope of the project and draw rough outlines of four alternatives that will ultimately be offered for public comment. Like all private non-governmental agencies (NGO), we're excluded from the cooperating agent's meetings. Without a place at the table, we've been doing a lot of smiling and dialing and door knocking to let the various agents know that we want to see wildlife heavily represented on the "menu" they produce.
What have we learned? While most of the heavy lifting is done by professionals behind the scenes, there is no substitute for a well informed and passionately involved public. That's you. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and there's a whole lot of noise being made. In the Bighorn Basin for example, where the public comment period for the draft RMP and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) closed in September, various influential stakeholders weighed-in at the eleventh hour in favor of an alternative that heavily favors development at the cost of wildlife and recreation. With your voice we can head-off a similar result in Lander and Rock Springs. The Lander comment period is open until the January 20th, 2012. Now is the time to let the BLM know that as a sportsman or woman you support the preferred alternative (alternative D) for its common sense approach to conserving wildlife and habitat. The how-to information can be found here: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/news_room/2011/november/14lfo-rmp.html or by contacting me at matthewcopeland@wyomingwildlife.org or (307) 287-2839. There is not yet an opportunity for official public comment on the Rock Springs RMP, but you can have an even greater impact by letting your voice be heard early. If you live in Sweetwater, Uinta, Sublette, Lincoln or Fremont county, let your county commissioners and conservation districts know that you favor a plan that balances today's development with tomorrow's hunting and fishing opportunities.
It's hard to believe, but three little letters can mean the difference between a future rich in fish and game, or ozone and pavement. I side with wildlife.
Matt Copeland, Public Lands Organizer
Hunt with Walt 2011
This year's Hunt with Walt was
another success. Tom, our lucky hunter
got a trophy elk, plenty of great meat, and a
great story to tell. To me, all elk are
trophies. The antlers are more than a numerical
score; they are a reminder of good times with
friends and family and a story you are proud to
tell. Tom is from West Virginia. He brought
Richard, his best friend from childhood. This
best adventure is one shared with a friend.
Walt Gasson, Joy Bannon and I were along to
help Tom find a bull elk in area 100 of the Red
Desert.
Tom and Richard were no strangers to Wyoming; they had made 2 trips together to hunt Antelope in the Eastern part of the state. Hunting is a great opportunity to get to know someone and to discuss the issues that threaten the areas we cherish. Sportsmen and women have always led the way in conservation. As we looked for elk, we reminded them that the land we were hunting belongs to all of us. Wyoming is fortunate to have a large amount of public land. The challenge is to see that it is managed for multiple uses, not just a single use. While oil and gas are important for our country, it is also important that we preserve some of the special places like Jack Morrow Hills so future generations can experience the thrill of seeing elk suddenly "appear" in the middle of a sage brush flat. The desert elk we were hunting are unique and worth preserving. WWF has worked hard to make sure there is a balance in energy development in the special places in Wyoming. Richard understands what it means to be a good steward of the land. His family farm is managed for agriculture and wildlife. Sportsmen and women share a common language and vision no matter where they come from. Our first day, we saw lots of elk, but no bulls that made Tom want to end the adventure.
The second day we covered some new terrain and found 2 nice bulls bedded on a hill above the road. The problem was they saw us before we saw them. The bulls did not move as they tried to decide if we had seen them. In my spotting scope, I could see the bigger bull still had a stalk of grass in his mouth. When the bull got up, he immediately spun around and starting walking quickly uphill. Tom never got a shot. One of the hardest decisions an ethical hunter has to make is when to pass up a shot. Tom made the right decision. While trying to determine where the bulls had gone, we spotted a big herd of elk with several bulls about a mile away. One bull looked like a dandy. We got as close as we dared in the vehicle, then Tom, Richard, Walt and Joy set out on foot to try and get within range. After a 2 hour hike, they were in range, but the big bull was nowhere to be seen. Watching from around a half mile away, I could see one of the cows staring in their direction and stamping her feet. Then she spun around and the herd formed a tight group and swarmed over the ridge. We never say the bi
g bull and the smaller bulls were
safe in the herd.
We were back at it again the next morning, but icy roads slowed us down a bit. It was daylight, but the sun had not cleared the ridge when we got close to where we had tried so hard the day before. We caught the two bulls we had seen the day before out in the flats. This time, luck was on our side and Tom made a great shot. He was surprised when the bull did not drop because he knew the shot was good. Another shot and the bull was down. Tom had his trophy.
Although Tom was the official winner of the Hunt with Walt, everyone wins when you support WWF by buying tickets for our fundraising events. Your support helps us continue our efforts to protect and enhance habitat which is vital to quality hunting and fishing. (To read more, visit http://www.wwfhomeplace.blogspot.com/2011/10/hunt-with-walt-2011.html)
Armond Acri, WWF Board Secretary
Photos From Home
(Click below to enlarge)
You Can Help
To view our current events - Click here
(Our 2012 Banquet will be held on March 31st. More details to come!)
To meet our partners - Click here
To donate - Click here
To join WWF- Click here
2011 Winter Pronghorn
Annual
Report
2011 
brought Wyoming Wildlife
Federation several successes and one major
change. To start, I'll address the change. As
most of you know, our Executive Director of 4
years, Walt Gasson, moved on to work nationally
with Trout Unlimited. We miss his dedication,
sound bites, wisdom, and humor; however, we
wish him the best in his new position and look
forward to working with him as a WWF supporter
and solid member of our organization.
With Walt's departure, a hiring committee was created to search, interview, and select WWF's new Executive Director. The initial round of interviews has been conducted and final interviews will take place in mid-January. A decision will made shortly thereafter. We will be sure to update you as soon as we have a decision.
Throughout our annual report you will hear of our successful and effective work in 2011. WWF continues to be a voice for wildlife and sportsmen on many land management issues. In the Bridger Teton National Forest, the Hams Fork area is experiencing a major pine beetle infestation, which moved the Forest Service to set up a stakeholder group designed to develop management prescriptions that would aid the forest and community. As a stakeholder, WWF helped secure increased camping opportunities, no development in the roadless area, and identified areas of the forest that would benefit from a prescribed burn.
Down in the southwest corner of the state, our Greater Little Mountain Area (GLMA) campaign is moving forward nicely. The Greater Little Mountain Coalition wrote to the Bureau of Land Management recommending the area be considered for a Master Leasing Plan designation. We were successful in our efforts, which should aid in our work to safeguard wildlife and recreation because the BLM will need to manage the area on a landscape scale versus project by project. In addition, a diverse set of stakeholders met to discuss management goals and priorities for the GLMA, which included wildlife (both terrestrial and aquatic) along with recreation. These priorities and goals were sent to the BLM by Governor Mead.
Mule deer populations have seen a decline over recent years and thus WWF has made mule deer a priority. We are making habitat decisions over in the Pinedale area with the BLM and we are working with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department on the Wyoming Range and Platte Valley mule deer initiatives.
The list goes on and we are thankful to continue our work and we are excited to announce in 2012, 75 years of working for you. Celebrating 75 years is quite an accomplishment and Wyoming Wildlife Federation thanks you - sportsmen and women and outdoor enthusiasts who care for Wyoming's wildlife, sporting heritage, and backcountry traditions. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Joy Bannon, Interim Executive Director, Field Director
With Walt's departure, a hiring committee was created to search, interview, and select WWF's new Executive Director. The initial round of interviews has been conducted and final interviews will take place in mid-January. A decision will made shortly thereafter. We will be sure to update you as soon as we have a decision.
Throughout our annual report you will hear of our successful and effective work in 2011. WWF continues to be a voice for wildlife and sportsmen on many land management issues. In the Bridger Teton National Forest, the Hams Fork area is experiencing a major pine beetle infestation, which moved the Forest Service to set up a stakeholder group designed to develop management prescriptions that would aid the forest and community. As a stakeholder, WWF helped secure increased camping opportunities, no development in the roadless area, and identified areas of the forest that would benefit from a prescribed burn.
Down in the southwest corner of the state, our Greater Little Mountain Area (GLMA) campaign is moving forward nicely. The Greater Little Mountain Coalition wrote to the Bureau of Land Management recommending the area be considered for a Master Leasing Plan designation. We were successful in our efforts, which should aid in our work to safeguard wildlife and recreation because the BLM will need to manage the area on a landscape scale versus project by project. In addition, a diverse set of stakeholders met to discuss management goals and priorities for the GLMA, which included wildlife (both terrestrial and aquatic) along with recreation. These priorities and goals were sent to the BLM by Governor Mead.
Mule deer populations have seen a decline over recent years and thus WWF has made mule deer a priority. We are making habitat decisions over in the Pinedale area with the BLM and we are working with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department on the Wyoming Range and Platte Valley mule deer initiatives.
The list goes on and we are thankful to continue our work and we are excited to announce in 2012, 75 years of working for you. Celebrating 75 years is quite an accomplishment and Wyoming Wildlife Federation thanks you - sportsmen and women and outdoor enthusiasts who care for Wyoming's wildlife, sporting heritage, and backcountry traditions. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Joy Bannon, Interim Executive Director, Field Director
This Year at WWF
Perhaps the biggest lesson learned at this year's Expo is that Matthew Copeland and I really need to practice shooting clays. WWF was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in the Pentathlon event, where teams test their skills in shooting, archery, and fishing. We had the chance to compete against current and former WGFD Commissioners, the Governor's office, WGFD Director, and the media. Matthew and I were lucky to be joined by Reg Rothwell, who was able to carry the weight of our team in the shot gun portion. We didn't win this year, but had a great time and will be all practiced up next year.
(Photo taken by Mark Gocke)
Wind and
Transmission Lines - No one who lives in
Wyoming needs to be told that we have strong
wind and lots of it. That wind has already been
harnessed in several wind energy projects as
anyone who has traveled I-80 or up through the
Shirley Basin could tell you; these projects
are but a small footprint to the wind projects
that have been proposed the past year. The
proposed Chokecherry Sierra Madre Wind Energy
Development project area alone covers 220,000
acres in Carbon County. WWF is supportive of
wind energy when it is done right, but wind
like traditional energy development needs to be
balanced with the multiple uses on our public
lands and should not get any freebies in
permitting because it is green energy. I would
go a step further and argue that wind energy
developers have an added responsibility:
contributing to the research on the effects of
wind energy development on Sage Grouse and big
game. Currently there is little research on
these impacts and developers have a
responsibility to the state of Wyoming and our
natural resources to research and then mitigate
any impacts.
Along with the rise of wind permits, we have seen three major transmission lines proposed this year. Along with wind energy, WWF is supportive of transmission lines and improving the energy grid but these projects too need to be balanced with the many uses on our public lands. As Wyoming adds wind and transmission lines to our already robust energy portfolio, it is more important than ever to examine these projects on a landscape scale, to require coordinated planning, and offer protections to Wyoming's wildlife and special places.
Along with the rise of wind permits, we have seen three major transmission lines proposed this year. Along with wind energy, WWF is supportive of transmission lines and improving the energy grid but these projects too need to be balanced with the many uses on our public lands. As Wyoming adds wind and transmission lines to our already robust energy portfolio, it is more important than ever to examine these projects on a landscape scale, to require coordinated planning, and offer protections to Wyoming's wildlife and special places.
Wyoming Mule Deer Initiative - This year saw the adoption of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Wyoming Range Mule Deer Initiative and the launch of the Platte Valley Mule Deer Initiative. Both initiatives emerged out of recognition of the importance of these herds to the public. Through this public process, WGFD has sought to develop a management plan specific to each herd through collaborative learning.
I would like to offer kudos to the WGFD for taking on this initiative and making an honest effort to educate and involve the public in management of mule deer. There are many theories and opinions on the best way to manage big game and it seems no matter the decision, there will always be someone who feels slighted. Personally, the initiative has been a great opportunity for me to learn about mule deer and different consequences of management decisions. For all the differences of opinion on how to manage mule deer, I think there was one principle that stood out: every person in attendance -WGFD employee and member of the public alike - is passionate about mule deer.
Upper North Platte River Valley - Voices of the Valley hosted its second round of community conversations this past year. Annual flooding emerged as an issue affecting the community of Saratoga: from coast to the town, to loss of recreational opportunity the river has been and is on everyone's mind. The Voices of the Valley team recognized an opportunity to be a resource for the community's effort to manage the river. We have sought out a community planning grant which will help the town of Saratoga with planning efforts and incorporate community outreach efforts for a river restoration project. The river project is important for protection of Saratoga and an excellent opportunity for sportsmen, as improving the fishery will be an important component.
Wyoming Range - The Wyoming Range has been on our radar with the 136 proposed gas well Plains PXP project in the Hoback Basin and the 44,000 contested acres on the eastern border. The USFS has asked for additional analysis to be developed in a new alternative under the Hoback Basin project and additional analysis to be gathered for the Forest Service's work on the 44,000 acres. WWF is supportive of these efforts because we want the USFS to be in a strong position legally and we believe it is better to have all of the regulations and scientific data reviewed during the initial stages instead of waiting until near completion. We will keep you abreast of any Forest Service decisions as they come about.
PAWG - Pinedale Anticline Working Group - My first year on the PAWG has been productive, but I strive to complete more. We have been able to implement habitat improvement projects for mule deer in transition areas and in their crucial range. We are overseeing the creation of a water brochure that will help landowners and citizens with what impacts oil and gas development has or doesn't have on water wells. We have also worked to improve reclamation efforts on reseeding techniques that will increase the chances for native plants to grow and reduce the spread of invasive plant species. I will continue my position on the PAWG through 2012.
Courtney Amerine, Field Organizer
Joy Bannon, Interim Executive Director, Field Director
Acronyms
If it just occurred to you that you were trying to read a bowl of alphabet soup, than you have some idea of how my first few weeks on the job felt. Not only does this stuff come with its own language, but in my experience, becoming fluent in TLA (three letter acronyms) is only the beginning. Effectiveness requires more than basic definitions. If you want to get things done, you need to know that these terms actually mean. Let me share some particularly valuable nuggets that I've collected so far.
At the heart of my current work as the Public Lands Organizer (PLO) lies the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) process. The BLM is tasked with managing more than 245 million surface acres of public land and 700 million subsurface acres of mineral estate for a variety of uses: energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, timber harvesting, and protection of natural, cultural, and historical resources, just to name a few. Ultimately the bureau, and its staff of 10,000 work to sustain the health, productivity, and diversity of America's public lands (land that belongs to you, me and every o
Periodically, each of the 125 BLM field offices, including the ten we have here in Wyoming, must revise, update and rewrite its RMP. These documents, typically running into the many hundreds of pages, painstakingly catalog all of the resources present in that field office's particular patch, and outline how the BLM intends to manage those resources for the public good, into the foreseeable future - often a couple of decades or longer. What areas are suitable for oil and gas development and with what restrictions? How about rights of way (ROW) for wind and other renewable energy opportunities? Where should they allow grazing and in what densities? Are there parcels with particular recreation values that should be protected as such? Designated wilderness? What historic, prehistoric and archeological sites are present and what needs to be done or not done with them? How should hunting, fishing and other wildlife related uses be accounted for? How can all of these considerations overlap and work well together? These are the types of questions that are analyzed, answered and laid down as the long-term law of the land in every resource management plan.
As you might imagine, this planning process requires years of hard work and the involvement of thousands - government professionals, corporate consultants and private citizens - to complete. That's where your Wyoming Wildlife Federation (WWF) comes in. While there are certainly a myriad appropriate uses for Wyoming's 17.5 million acres of BLM surface lands and 40.7 million acres of federal mineral estate, we believe that none is more important than the fish, wildlife and habitat that make our hunting and fishing way of life possible. As such, we make it our business to stay as informed as possible, and engage with the broad array of other stakeholders to ensure that those values are accounted for and prioritized in any plan.
So what does that look like? Well in the big horn basin, after a great deal of investigation and collaboration we offered comments to the BLM with proposed amendments to an otherwise agreeable preferred alternative. Specifically we sought more contiguous chunks of undisturbed land in critical big game habitat and proposed a 500 foot buffer around known cutthroat waters. In Lander WWF has been busy fine-tooth combing the draft RMP's contents and discussing our interpretation with state and federal agencies, WWF members, and other non-profit groups. In Rock Springs, the process isn't yet open to the public. Currently, the cooperating agencies - state and federal governmental groups whose work has bearing on BLM lands - are meeting to define the scope of the project and draw rough outlines of four alternatives that will ultimately be offered for public comment. Like all private non-governmental agencies (NGO), we're excluded from the cooperating agent's meetings. Without a place at the table, we've been doing a lot of smiling and dialing and door knocking to let the various agents know that we want to see wildlife heavily represented on the "menu" they produce.
What have we learned? While most of the heavy lifting is done by professionals behind the scenes, there is no substitute for a well informed and passionately involved public. That's you. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and there's a whole lot of noise being made. In the Bighorn Basin for example, where the public comment period for the draft RMP and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) closed in September, various influential stakeholders weighed-in at the eleventh hour in favor of an alternative that heavily favors development at the cost of wildlife and recreation. With your voice we can head-off a similar result in Lander and Rock Springs. The Lander comment period is open until the January 20th, 2012. Now is the time to let the BLM know that as a sportsman or woman you support the preferred alternative (alternative D) for its common sense approach to conserving wildlife and habitat. The how-to information can be found here: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/news_room/2011/november/14lfo-rmp.html or by contacting me at matthewcopeland@wyomingwildlife.org or (307) 287-2839. There is not yet an opportunity for official public comment on the Rock Springs RMP, but you can have an even greater impact by letting your voice be heard early. If you live in Sweetwater, Uinta, Sublette, Lincoln or Fremont county, let your county commissioners and conservation districts know that you favor a plan that balances today's development with tomorrow's hunting and fishing opportunities.
It's hard to believe, but three little letters can mean the difference between a future rich in fish and game, or ozone and pavement. I side with wildlife.
Matt Copeland, Public Lands Organizer
Hunt with Walt 2011
Tom and Richard were no strangers to Wyoming; they had made 2 trips together to hunt Antelope in the Eastern part of the state. Hunting is a great opportunity to get to know someone and to discuss the issues that threaten the areas we cherish. Sportsmen and women have always led the way in conservation. As we looked for elk, we reminded them that the land we were hunting belongs to all of us. Wyoming is fortunate to have a large amount of public land. The challenge is to see that it is managed for multiple uses, not just a single use. While oil and gas are important for our country, it is also important that we preserve some of the special places like Jack Morrow Hills so future generations can experience the thrill of seeing elk suddenly "appear" in the middle of a sage brush flat. The desert elk we were hunting are unique and worth preserving. WWF has worked hard to make sure there is a balance in energy development in the special places in Wyoming. Richard understands what it means to be a good steward of the land. His family farm is managed for agriculture and wildlife. Sportsmen and women share a common language and vision no matter where they come from. Our first day, we saw lots of elk, but no bulls that made Tom want to end the adventure.
The second day we covered some new terrain and found 2 nice bulls bedded on a hill above the road. The problem was they saw us before we saw them. The bulls did not move as they tried to decide if we had seen them. In my spotting scope, I could see the bigger bull still had a stalk of grass in his mouth. When the bull got up, he immediately spun around and starting walking quickly uphill. Tom never got a shot. One of the hardest decisions an ethical hunter has to make is when to pass up a shot. Tom made the right decision. While trying to determine where the bulls had gone, we spotted a big herd of elk with several bulls about a mile away. One bull looked like a dandy. We got as close as we dared in the vehicle, then Tom, Richard, Walt and Joy set out on foot to try and get within range. After a 2 hour hike, they were in range, but the big bull was nowhere to be seen. Watching from around a half mile away, I could see one of the cows staring in their direction and stamping her feet. Then she spun around and the herd formed a tight group and swarmed over the ridge. We never say the bi
We were back at it again the next morning, but icy roads slowed us down a bit. It was daylight, but the sun had not cleared the ridge when we got close to where we had tried so hard the day before. We caught the two bulls we had seen the day before out in the flats. This time, luck was on our side and Tom made a great shot. He was surprised when the bull did not drop because he knew the shot was good. Another shot and the bull was down. Tom had his trophy.
Although Tom was the official winner of the Hunt with Walt, everyone wins when you support WWF by buying tickets for our fundraising events. Your support helps us continue our efforts to protect and enhance habitat which is vital to quality hunting and fishing. (To read more, visit http://www.wwfhomeplace.blogspot.com/2011/10/hunt-with-walt-2011.html)
Armond Acri, WWF Board Secretary
Photos From Home
(Click below to enlarge)
You Can Help
As we approach the
end of 2011, we would like to thank you for
your generous support of Wyoming Wildlife
Federation (WWF). WWF is Wyoming's oldest and
largest statewide sportsmen's conservation
organization. We continue our commitment to
conserving Wyoming's wildlife and wild places
by representing the interests of hunters,
anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. We've had a
great year, thanks to your support. Just
consider the following conservation success
stories:
The Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap: WWF led a lobby effort at the 2011 Wyoming State Legislature for a bill to amend the Wyoming Constitution protecting our right to hunt, fish, and trap. Wyoming people have been hunters, anglers, and trappers since the beginning, but some groups are opposed to th
ese legitimate and
time-honored uses of the wildlife resource. WWF
was successful. The bill passed in both houses
and the amendment will appear on the 2012
general election ballot;
Mule Deer: WWF members and staff are working toward habitat solutions to curb mule deer population decline. WWF represents recreation interests on the Pinedale Anticline Working Group (PAWG) and is an active participant with the Wyoming Range and Platte Valley Mule Deer Initiatives through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Greater Little Mountain Area (GLMA): At the end of 2010, WWF and its partners joined Governor Freudenthal's stakeholder group to develop a set of values specific to GLMA. These core values included trophy mule deer, elk and Colorado River cutthroat trout habitat. In 2011, Governor Mead took office and the values identified by the group were folded into his Rock Springs BLM Resource Management Plan scoping comments. WWF continues to stand guard over this priceless habitat;
Upper North Platte Valley: Protecting resident's quality of life by initiating community dialogue about ways to maintain wildlife, fisheries, and open space as changes
such as wind energy development,
transmission lines, and changing land use
patterns come to the Valley; and
Hands-On Projects: WWF continued its proud tradition of hands-on projects to benefit wildlife with a fence removal project near Evanston. The Evanston fence project will continue in 2012 along with an additional fence project in the Shoshone National Forest near Wiggins Fork River.
It was a productive year, but we're looking forward to an even better year in 2012. While economic times remain tight, the challenges to Wyoming's wildlife and wild places go on relentlessly. With your contribution, we can address the issues that threaten your wildlife heritage:
Links
The Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap: WWF led a lobby effort at the 2011 Wyoming State Legislature for a bill to amend the Wyoming Constitution protecting our right to hunt, fish, and trap. Wyoming people have been hunters, anglers, and trappers since the beginning, but some groups are opposed to th
Mule Deer: WWF members and staff are working toward habitat solutions to curb mule deer population decline. WWF represents recreation interests on the Pinedale Anticline Working Group (PAWG) and is an active participant with the Wyoming Range and Platte Valley Mule Deer Initiatives through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Greater Little Mountain Area (GLMA): At the end of 2010, WWF and its partners joined Governor Freudenthal's stakeholder group to develop a set of values specific to GLMA. These core values included trophy mule deer, elk and Colorado River cutthroat trout habitat. In 2011, Governor Mead took office and the values identified by the group were folded into his Rock Springs BLM Resource Management Plan scoping comments. WWF continues to stand guard over this priceless habitat;
Upper North Platte Valley: Protecting resident's quality of life by initiating community dialogue about ways to maintain wildlife, fisheries, and open space as changes
Hands-On Projects: WWF continued its proud tradition of hands-on projects to benefit wildlife with a fence removal project near Evanston. The Evanston fence project will continue in 2012 along with an additional fence project in the Shoshone National Forest near Wiggins Fork River.
It was a productive year, but we're looking forward to an even better year in 2012. While economic times remain tight, the challenges to Wyoming's wildlife and wild places go on relentlessly. With your contribution, we can address the issues that threaten your wildlife heritage:
- Natural gas development on crucial
wildlife winter ranges and migration corridors;
- Wind energy development in core sage grouse habitat; and
- Public access to public lands statewide.
In
addition, your contribution will enable us to
address long-term needs right here in our
office, such as upgrades in energy efficient
heating and cooling and equipment upgrades.
Another way to leave a lasting legacy to
wildlife in Wyoming is to make a deferred
donation that will result in benefits to
wildlife and to you for years to come. Deferred
donations, often called deferred giving plans,
usually allow you to retain the benefit of the
donated funds while providing a gift to WWF at
a later date. You receive an immediate income
tax deduction for the value of your gift, and
you may avoid paying capital gains tax on a
gift of appreciated property. There are several
options which may be available, including
charitable remainder trusts that entitles you
to income for a fixed period of time following
your donation and eventually pays the principal
to WWF. Various payment options exist.
While all this may sound
complicated, it doesn't have to be. Such a gift
can be as simple as providing for WWF in your
will or trust. If you're considering leaving a
lasting legacy this way, you should consult
with a financial planner, accountant and/or
attorney. For more information on planned
giving or to make a donation, contact WWF at
1-800-786-5434 or online at www.wyomingwildlife.org.
Wyoming is such a special place, and we're proud of our success in protecting our wildlife resources for future generations to enjoy. We will continue to work for each and every one of you in the coming year.
Joy Bannon, Interim Executive Director, Field Director
| Wyoming
Wildlife Federation would like to extend an
invitation to any Wyoming
member who is interested in joining our Board
of Directors to submit a
resume and letter of interest to our Cheyenne
office by February 1,
2012. Board of Directors are voted on at the
annual meeting in the
spring.
|
Links
To view our current events - Click here
(Our 2012 Banquet will be held on March 31st. More details to come!)
To meet our partners - Click here
To donate - Click here
To join WWF- Click here