Bucket Biology

I doubt if there are any bucket biologists out there reading this. You readers out there are really great, really smart people. That’s why I’m coming to you with this. We need to put our collective feet down here. And we need to put them down on some folks who are doing our fisheries some real harm.

The term “bucket biologist” is one coined to describe those who decide for themselves that the fish they like to catch in one place – say, Boysen Reservoir for example – would be really cool to have in another place – like the Green River. So they gather up a bucket full of those fish – say, Burbot for example – and dump them where they don’t belong. And that’s where things go to hell in a hand basket. For example:

• Burbot were found in the Green River approximately 10 miles upstream of Flaming Gorge Reservoir in 2003.
  
• Burbot were confirmed in Flaming Gorge Reservoir in 2005 and the population has rapidly expanded in recent years. They are now widely distributed, extremely abundant, and naturally reproducing in the reservoir.
  
• In 2005, Burbot were captured in the Big Sandy River approximately 12 miles upstream of Big Sandy Reservoir. Follow up surveys in 2006 found numerous Burbot in the upper Big Sandy River, as far as 50 miles upstream of Big Sandy Reservoir.
  
• Burbot were captured in Fontenelle Reservoir in October 2005. This marked the first time they were found upstream of Fontenelle Dam and likely resulted from a separate, more recent illegal introduction.
  
• Now that Burbot are above Fontenelle dam, Burbot will move upstream and establish populations in the upper Green River drainage and possibly the Finger Lakes in the Wind River Mountains near Pinedale. In fact the Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has found Burbot in the lower New Fork River (2006) and the Green River near Big Piney (2007).
• WGFD received reports in 2007 that Burbot are present in the Hams Fork River as far upstream as Opal.
  
• During fall 2007, Burbot were captured in Jim Bridger Pond. They gained access to the pond via the pipeline that transports water from the Green River.

So in the space of six years, Burbot – a top of the chain aquatic predator – have become established pretty much throughout the Green River system. So what, you may ask? Isn’t that just one more fish for us to catch? In a word, no.

This slimy, eel-like critter has the potential to devastate the trout fishery in the Green. That would be the trout fishery that people come from all over the world to enjoy. The trout fishery that forms the basis of Sweetwater County’s tourism economy. The trout fishery that has, time after time, supported Colorado River cutthroats when they were proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Nice move, whoever you were.

So what do we do? We put some teeth in the existing law that makes this sort of shenanigans illegal. When the session of the Wyoming State legislature convenes on February 8, one of the bills they will consider will be one that lays down the law to prevent illegal fish stocking: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2010/Introduced/HB0009.pdf. It increases the penalty, allows for license revocation and for civil damages to be assessed. It’s a good bill, and we support it. Please contact your legislator and tell them you do too. It’s easy to do. Just find their name on the roster at http://legisweb.state.wy.us/LegislatorSummary/LegislatorList.aspx?strHouse=H&strStatus=N and click on it to send them an e-mail.

Stop the insanity.

Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation

Politics - Wyoming Style

We co-hosted a little party the other night for WWF members and other conservationists from Laramie County, to help them meet and talk with their legislators about some of the issues coming up in the Budget Session. It was a great time. We had about 30 folks there, including most of the Laramie County legislative delegation. Old friends Paul Wood, Bill Jones and Chico Pistono were there, along with Cheyenne Field Archers/Bowhunters of Wyoming stalwarts Joel Meena and Neal Perkins. We had a nice meal, followed by a great discussion, focused primarily on three issues:

-Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund (WWNRTF)–The current balance of the trust account is approximately $90 million. Governor Dave Freudenthal has proposed investing $5 million in the trust account. In addition, a total of approximately $6 million in project funding is being proposed. For more information on WWNRTF see http://wwnrt.state.wy.us/index.htm

-Illegal fish stocking - Illegal stocking of fish (including walleye, burbot, and others) has resulted in disastrous consequences for fisheries in many parts of Wyoming. The Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee has sponsored a bill to increase the penalty for illegal stocking. For more information on this bill, see http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2010/Introduced/HB0009.pdf

-Aquatic invasive species - A number of exotic species like quagga mussels and zebra mussels, if introduced to Wyoming’s streams, lakes and rivers, could pose serious challenges for native species and ruin everything from municipal water supplies, and irrigation structures to boats and equipment. For more information on these nasty little critters, see The Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee has sponsored a bill to proactively control the spread of these species. See http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2010/Introduced/HB0018.pdf

But the high point of the evening for me, and the idea behind the title of this post, was something that I suspect may be unique to our state. For quite some time, Neal and Joel have been trying to interest anyone who would listen in their idea to reduce the cost of an archery license to youth hunters.

Now, as these guys would gladly admit, this isn’t exactly earth-shaking legislation. All it would be is a way to remove one more excuse for getting your kids out there enjoying archery hunting. But in an era where the idea of making it easier for kids to get involved seems pretty darn important, it seems like an idea that is at least worth considering. The trouble has been that no one was willing to bring it up. That’s where Rep. Pete Illoway came in. Or rather, that’s where Rep. Illoway stepped up. “Give me the information, and I’ll get a bill drafted,” he told the bowhunters. Their faces lit up like it was Christmas morning. That bill may not be considered in this session. And even when it is considered, there’s certainly no guarantee that it will go anywhere. But these two regular guys – just guys who happen to live for archery hunting – were able to make a case for their issue and inspire an elected representative to take up their bill.

There’s a lesson in here for us. I know of nowhere else in the world where participative democracy is practiced better than it’s practiced right here in Wyoming. If you’ve got an issue that affects your hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation you can get someone to listen. If it’s a regulatory issue, see the Game and Fish Commission. If it’s a change in statute, see your legislator. You won’t always get your way, but you will pretty much always have your say. And that’s why we threw this party in the first place.

A tip of the WWF ballcap to Kate Wright with Wyoming Conservation Voters for doing most of the work to make this event happen. She’s a top hand.

If you’d like more information about legislative issues or would like to help host a similar event in your community, let me know!

Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation

Meet Your Legislator - Laramie County, Wyoming

The Wyoming Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Wyoming Wildlife Federation invite you to a Cheyenne area "Meet Your Legislator" event to discuss conservation and sportsman topics that will be debated in the 2010 Legislative Budget Session.

Rep. Rodney "Pete" Anderson, Rep. James Byrd, Rep. Ken Esquibel, Rep. Pete Illoway, Rep. Lori Millin, Rep. Mary Throne, Sen. Floyd Esquibel, Sen. Kathryn Sessions, will attend to hear your concerns and answer your questions. Other lawmakers may also attend, schedules permitting.

We'll provide a complimentary meal, as well as issue summaries on hot legislative topics including Wildlife Trust investments; Game & Fish funding, renewable energy development; and other pending legislative actions.

Please join us for a great program!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010
6:30-8:30 pm
The Plains Hotel
1600 Central Ave., Cheyenne

Please RSVP by January 14 if you will attend.

Questions - call Kate Wright 307.638.2050 or email kate@wyovoters.org.

29th Annual Wyoming Wildlife Federation Banquet

We invite you to the 29th Annual Wyoming Wildlife Federation Banquet. Please mark your calendar for March 20, 2010 at the Holiday Inn in Cheyenne, WY. Banquet doors will open at 5:30 pm and we will conclude at 11:00 pm. Admission, dinner tickets, and entry fee for numerous door prize drawings will be $40.00. Join us for this fabulous evening of food, fun, and entertainment!

For a complete list of raffles, prizes, and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE!

**WINNERS NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN**