Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce

THE WYOMING WILDLIFE TASKFORCE was convened by Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce's charge is to study top- priority wildlife policy issues facing the state related to the allocation of hunting opportunity, sportsperson access and other issues. The topics will be identified by the taskforce members for study over an 18-month period with the goal of presenting conclusions and recommendations to the Wyoming Legislature, Game and Fish Commission and governor to support decision- making on Wyoming’s wildlife resources.

In between meetings, Taskforce members will be hosting listening sessions around the state for the public to attend and provide public input on the Taskforce's charge. (www.wyomingwildlifetaskforce.com)

Members of the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce

• Tony Lehner - Converse County Commissioner, landowner • Duaine Hagen - Park County landowner • Representative Jamie Flitner - Big Horn County • Representative Albert Sommers - Sublette County • Adam Teten - Johnson County sportsman • Joe Schaffer - Laramie County sportsman, President of Laramie County

Community College • Rusty Bell - Campbell County Commissioner, Taxidermist, Sportsman • Sy Gilliland - President of Wyoming Outfitter and Guides Association • Elissa Ruckle - Owner of Elevate Wyoming • Senator Ogden Driskill - Crook County • Senator Larry Hicks - Carbon County • Liisa Anselmi-Dalton - Sweetwater County hotel owner • Jen Scoggin - Director Office of State Lands and Investments • Lee Livingston - Park County Commissioner • Josh Coursey - Sweetwater County, Executive Director of

Muley Fanatics Foundation • Pat Crank - Laramie County sportsman • Pete Dube - Johnson County, President of the Game and Fish Commission • Brian Nesvik - Director of the Game and Fish Department

Draft List of Topics to be Covered by the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce

1. Resident hunters are frustrated with limited licenses, access, and overall opportunities to hunt.

What policies might sustainably increase resident sportsmen’s opportunities

for the big 5 (moose, sheep, grizzly, goat, and bison)? a. License allocations b. Preference points and fees resident and non-resident, youth, waiting periods c. Battling point creep d. Resident/non-License fees, draw dates, application dates and process e. Mandatory harvest survey 2. Resident hunters are frustrated with limited licenses, access, and overall opportunities to hunt.

What policies might sustainably increase resident sportsmen’s opportunities for deer, elk and antelope?

a. License allocations b. Points non-resident/resident and fees, youth c. Waiting periods d. Resident/non-License fees, draw dates, application dates and process e. Mandatory harvest survey f. Quota splits and outfitter only draw g. Left-over draw h. Tagging simplification and education i. Overall game numbers and health j. Type 9 licenses in areas where resident general license and general archery hunting is allowed k. Choose your weapon 3. Private landowners are stewards of the landscapes that provide critical habitat for Wyoming wildlife. Although these landowners may sometimes appreciate and benefit from the wildlife, wildlife can also have negative impacts on landowners’ livelihoods (depredation, forage lost, risk of disease transmission, etc.)

What policies and practices might support and incentivize private landowners as stewards of wildlife habitat?

a. Access to and/or via privately owned lands b. Enhancing game numbers and herd health c. Compensation (monetary or other benefits) for depredation, loss and/or habitat improvement d. Landowner license including the structure, distribution, transfer etc. e. Landowner license issuance f. Setting herd objectives g. Trespass issues 4. In addition to being fellow sportsmen themselves, outfitters and their guests bring economic benefits to the state (license fees, tourism industry and related jobs, etc.) and have a vested interest in the wellbeing of Wyoming wildlife.

What policies might support outfitters and their guests to maximize the benefits to Wyoming’s economy and wildlife?

a. Turkey outfitting b. Nonresidents who have a tag but no place to hunt c. Nonresident requirements to hire outfitters hunting in wilderness → see #3 below d. Regulation of guided fishing boats e. Fishing outfitters board 5. Commissioners’ licenses hold a “special” place in Wyoming. Concerns exist as to the allocation of these licenses.

How might the distribution of commissioner’s licenses be improved to better serve state priorities?

6. Wildlife health and abundance necessitates strong and thoughtful management.

How might management schemes and methods be improved to better serve

Wyoming residents (humans and wildlife)?

a. Mule deer management b. Elk numbers c. Elk area regionalization d. Predators 7. Other important topics are relevant to wildlife well-being.

What improvements in these other areas might help?

a. Long-term stability ($+) of Game and Fish b. Poaching and its punishment c. Invasive species mitigation d. Trapping and hiking safety e. High water mark f. Traffic deaths g. Consider advancement of technology to preserve/maintain fair chase h. Endangered Species Act i. Non-residents who draw a tag and don’t have anywhere to use it.

Task Force 2021 Meeting Schedule

Meeting #1 – June 16-17, 2021 in Casper at the Hilton Garden Inn Meeting #2 – July 8th, 2021 in Casper at the Hilton Garden Inn, 8am-6pm Meeting #3 – July 19th, 2021 in Casper at the Hilton Garden Inn, 8am-6pm Meeting #4 – September 1st in Casper, 8am-6pm Meeting #5 – November 18th in Casper, 8am-6pm Meeting #6 – December 3rd in Casper, 8am-6pm

Task Force 2022 Meeting Schedule

Meeting #7 – January 25th in Casper, 8am-6pm The task force will schedule additional 2022 meetings at the January 25th meeting.

Meeting minutes are available for review on the task force website at https://sites.google.com/wyo.gov/wyomingwildlifetaskforce Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce Public Comment

If you wish to provide thoughts or input to the taskforce, please complete the form on the website. Any comments on this form will be provided to the group.

There will be ongoing opportunities to provide public comment during Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce meetings. Names and email addresses will be collected by this form in order for us to communicate with interested parties throughout the life of the taskforce.

www.wyomingwildlifetaskforce.com