Comments Due on Wolf Management Plan!

On August 3, Governor Mead announced the State of Wyoming and the US Fish and Wildlife Service had finalized the elements of a proposed plan that will ensure a stable population of wolves in Wyoming. Under the proposed plan, Wyoming will maintain at least 100 wolves and 10 breeding pairs outside of Yellowstone National Park. The Trophy Game Management Area for wolves would extend about 50 miles to the south from its current location near the Wyoming-Idaho border. The expansion area would be managed as a Trophy Game Management Area from October 15^th through the end of February. For all other months wolves would be managed as predators in the expansion area.

WWF supports the proposed plan, with one recommended change: That the area currently considered for trophy game management for part of the year be added to the permanent trophy game area. According to the Wyoming and U.S. Department of Interior Wolf Management Agreement, this area was established to protect wolves during peak dispersal periods. WWF Field Director Joy Bannon, says, “Biologically speaking it is more sensible to make the flex line permanent to protect the connectivity between Idaho and Wyoming throughout the year rather than only to protect the wolf dispersal for part of the year.”

Anyone who wishes to provide comments on the revised Gray Wolf Management Plan must do so in writing. Written comments can be submitted before 5:00 pm on September 9 at any WGFD regional office, or by mail or fax to:

Wolf Plan Comments

Wyoming Game and Fish Department

5400 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, WY 82006

Fax: 307-777-4650

2011 Month of Guns

2011 Month of Guns

Dear Friend,

The Wyoming Wildlife Federation invites you to take part in our Eleventh Annual "Month of Guns" Giveaway. With the greatest line-up of guns we have ever featured, this is the chance of a lifetime. Starting December 8, 2011 we will be giving away a gun each weekday through December 23, 2011.

Every ticket purchased gives you TWELVE CHANCES to win one of the following:

-Browning BLR Takedown .324 WSM
-Remington 11-87 Turkey 12 ga.
-Ruger M77 Laminated .204 Ruger
-Weatherby Vanguard MOA 7mm Mag.
-CZ USA 550 Bolt Action .308 Win.
-Weatherby Vanguard .338 Win. Mag.
-Winchester M70 Featherweight 7mm-08
-Marlin 1895G Guide Cun .45-70
-Ruger 10/22 Stainless .22 LR
-Bond Arms Snake Slayer .45/.410
-Smith and Wesson 629 4" bbl. .44 Mag.
-CZ USA 455 Bolt Action .22 Mag

For more information, including pictures of each gun, CLICK HERE! Ticket pricing is as follows:

1 ticket - $30.00
3 tickets - $80.00
7 tickets - $150.00

The proceeds from this event help fund our efforts to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat, promote ethical hunting and fishing, and fight for access to public lands and waters for all citizens. We are a non-profit organization and exists solely on your generosity.

Winners will be notified by phone or mail as soon as possible after each day's drawing. You are eligible to win multiple guns as your ticket will be re-submitted if drawn. All winners must pass the required background checks. Guns will be shipped to dealers with valid Federal Firearms Licenses for pickup. To order tickets, CLICK HERE or call 307-637-5433 or toll free 1-800-786-5434. We appreciate your continued support.

Sincerely,

Walt Gasson
Executive Director

Wolf Plan Press Release

August 15, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Joy Bannon 307.287.0129; Keith Gingery 307.690.8143; Dave Moody 307.332.4136

Cheyenne - The Wyoming Wildlife Federation Board of Directors voted this past weekend to support Governor Mead’s Wolf Plan that he has negotiated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A caveat to accepting the plan is that the flex area be a permanent trophy game area. According to the Wyoming and U.S. Department of Interior Wolf Management Agreement, the flex area was established to protect wolf dispersers during peak dispersal periods. WWF Field Director, Joy Bannon, says, “biologically speaking it is more sensible to make the flex line permanent to protect the connectivity between Idaho and Wyoming throughout the year rather than only to protect the wolf dispersal part of the year.”

In the past the Wyoming Wildlife Federation has supported trophy game statewide as the most effective means of managing wolves while providing the Wyoming Game and Fish Department the flexibility to regulate its numbers and to address conflicts. However, WWF understands the political and social realities at this point in time and Wyoming politicians' commitment to dual status. Our support of Governor Mead’s plan is a major step to see Governor Mead obtain final approval from the Wyoming Legislature.

Governor Mead was successful in negotiating with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service that the wolf plan essentially be the same as the original 2003 wolf plan proposed by the Wyoming Legislature, with the exception that there be a flex area in southern Teton and northern Lincoln County. It is the flex area that has not received much support. Under the 2003 plan the southern boundary between trophy game and predator status would be State Highway 22 between Wilson and Jackson. The Governor has proposed a new southern boundary that runs slightly north of Afton, but that the southern boundary would “flex” between the Hwy. 22 line and the Afton line depending on the time of the year.

WWF board member and State Representative Keith Gingery of Jackson stated “It is great to see that many groups both from the agriculture industry and the sportsmen community are coming out in support of Governor Mead’s wolf management plan. But many of these same groups along with the Teton County Commissioners have expressed opposition to the flex area. I think if the Governor would agree to compromise on the flex area and make it a permanent trophy game area, then the proposed management plan could be finally the end to the wolf management debates. We are very close to finding a solution, and I am hopeful that the Governor will discuss the flex area issue in particular with the stakeholders in southern Teton and northern Lincoln counties.”

The Wyoming Wildlife Federation was established in 1937 and has current standing membership of over 5,000. WWF is Wyoming’s oldest and largest statewide hunter/angler conservation organization. Our mission is to work for hunters, anglers and other wildlife enthusiasts to protect and enhance habitat, to perpetuate quality hunting and fishing, to protect citizens’ rights to use public lands and waters, and to promote ethical hunting and fishing.

Executive Director Position

Wyoming Wildlife Federation, Wyoming’s oldest and largest statewide hunter/angler-based conservation group, is seeking an experienced and dynamic Executive Director. Compensation commensurate with qualifications. Deadline for submission of resume and cover letter is Oct. 1, 2011. Contact Joy Bannon at 307.335.8633 or joybannon@wyomingwildlife.org.

Governor Mead and US Fish and Wildlife finalize a Wolf Management Proposal

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR MATT MEAD
State Capitol
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Ph. (307) 777-7437

­­­­August 3, 2011

******FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE******

Contact:
Renny MacKay
Communications Director
renny.mackay@wyo.gov

Governor Mead and US Fish and Wildlife finalize a Wolf Management Proposal

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Matt Mead and representatives from the US Fish and Wildlife Service have finalized the elements of a proposed plan that will ensure a stable and sustainable population of wolves in Wyoming. This plan is the culmination of many years of work between Wyoming stakeholders and federal officials.

“This is far from the end of this process, but I think we have come up with something that fits with Wyoming’s values and economy,” Governor Mead said. “For years ranchers and sheep producers have been asked to sacrifice and they have. We have lost significant numbers of elk and moose, and we have not had a say in the management of an animal inside Wyoming. It is time for that to change and I appreciate Secretary Salazar and the US Fish and Wildlife Service working with us. Wolves are recovered in Wyoming; let’s get them off the Endangered Species List.”

Under the proposed plan Wyoming will maintain at least 100 wolves and 10 breeding pairs outside of Yellowstone National Park. The Trophy Game Management Area would extend about 50 miles to the south from its current location near the Wyoming/Idaho border. The expansion area would be managed as a Trophy Game Management Area from October 15^th to the end of February. For all other months wolves would be managed as predators in the extension area.

The proposed plan requires approval of the State Legislature. Governor Mead has said he wants Congressional approval of this plan. “For too long wolf management has been run by the courts, we need Wyoming people to have a say in what happens in our state and a congressionally approved plan is the best way to ensure that we advance this effort.

“This is an important step towards removing wolves from the Endangered Species List, but there are many more steps to come. We appreciate the work of stakeholders in Wyoming, and we appreciate the work of Senator Barrasso, Congressman Lummis and Senator Enzi,” Governor Mead said.