CHEYENNE ? It has been a challenging year for the two bird farms that stock pheasants in Wyoming, but hunters can still expect quality opportunities to harvest birds this fall.

The Downar Bird Farm in Yoder and the Sheridan Bird Farm ? both operated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department ? are stocking nearly 30,000 pheasants this year at walk-in hunting areas and Game and Fish wildlife habitat management areas. Downar plans to release between 16,000-17,000 pheasants, which is what it normally does each year. Sheridan is scheduled to release around 12,000 birds, similar to last season but down from up to 18,000 it traditionally stocks.

CHEYENNE ? Dreaming of notching a Wyoming hunting license? Apply now for preference points. Residents and nonresidents can build points for moose and bighorn sheep; nonresidents can acquire elk, deer and antelope points as well. All applications must be submitted online through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website.