Practice hunter safety, avoid tragedy this season

Hunting season has started in some areas and is fast approaching in others! No matter what species you?re pursuing, it?s wise to know basic firearms safety tips to make sure that dream hunt doesn?t turn into a tragedy.?Katie Simpson, Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunter education coordinator, and numerous hunter education instructors in the state use the acronym T.A.B.K. as a reminder of four key safety elements.

Your hunting calendar:

July 1 - Oct. 31:?Applications open for preference points.

Jan. 31:?Deadline to apply for SuperTag.

Game and Fish continues to monitor brucellosis in elk

Hunters have long been considered an invaluable resource for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department?s efforts to collect biological samples for study and testing. This fall elk hunters in select hunt areas are again being asked to collect blood samples from their harvested animal to help in the department?s brucellosis surveillance efforts.

Game and Fish Commission opens public comment on two regulations

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has opened a comment period to gather public input on two regulations:

• Chapter 44 ? Regulation for Issuance of Licenses, Permits, Stamps, Tags, Preference Points and Competitive Raffle Chances
• Chapter 60 ? Regulation Governing Greater Sage Grouse Raised on Private Game Bird Farms

Field dressing and consumption guidelines for birds, waterfowl

With bird hunting seasons underway and waterfowl around the corner, Game and Fish reminds all hunters to be observant and careful when harvesting and handling wild birds, particularly due to the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Guidelines for hunters:

Do not handle or eat sick game.

Field dress and prepare game outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

Wear rubber or disposable nitrile gloves while handling and cleaning game.

When done handling game, wash hands thoroughly with soap or disinfectant, and clean knives, equipment and surfaces that came in contact with game.

Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling animals.

All game should be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F before being consumed.

Do not feed sick/found dead carcasses/tissues to domestic animals such as dogs and cats.

Game and Fish looking to hire game wardens

One of the most recognizable uniforms in Wyoming is that of a Wyoming Game warden. Since 1899, Wyoming has had game wardens, each playing a unique role in the management of Wyoming?s most precious resource?whether in a law enforcement capacity or assisting? Game and Fish biologists in the field. The first step to becoming a game warden in Wyoming is by going online to the Game and Fish website, completing an application and submitting your transcripts. The application deadline is November 18th.

WY Game and Fish encourages hunters to download the 2022 hunting regulations

Due to global supply chain issues at printing presses, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is unable to provide a mailed, printed booklet of the 2022 Antelope, Deer and Elk Hunting Regulations to all license holders. Hunters will need to download the regulations online and either self-print a copy or save the brochure to their mobile devices.

Sportsperson Hotline: ?(307) 777-4600?| Open?8 a.m.- 5 p.m. MT Monday-Friday

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages and conserves more than 800 species of fish and wildlife across Wyoming. ?For nearly 120 years, we?ve carried out our mission to conserve wildlife and serve people. Through these efforts, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department ensures the public continues to enjoy Wyoming?s vast fish and wildlife resource ?through ?hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching and other forms of outdoor recreation. Hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers contribute over a billion dollars to Wyoming?s economy each year.

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