April 2023 - 17

must get a population estimate. This can
be tricky. Some animals are elusive, highly
mobile, live in difficult-to-access areas or
reside primarily on private lands.
" It is not possible to count every single
animal, " said Cheyenne Stewart, Game and
Fish wildlife management coordinator for
the Jackson Region. " You can't do a census of
wildlife, but we have a number of techniques
to estimate their populations. "
These techniques vary by species, habitat,
land-ownership dynamics and seasonality.
Wildlife biologists take all these things into
consideration when deciding the best way to
estimate a population. Biologists may take
to the air to count animals from helicopters
or planes. Others may count animals that
can be seen from the ground on designated
routes or use other survey techniques. What's
important is the method stays the same over
time so there is a consistent count for each
given herd.
" What's really important doing an annual
Hunters help in the season-setting process by providing information at check stations. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)
(Photo by Frances Schaetz)
survey is that you are consistent in your
method and survey route, " Stewart said.
In addition to counting animals, biologists
can look at the ratio of yearling males
in a herd to understand how many animals
survived to 1-year-old. Wildlife managers
may also look at the ratio of males to females
in a herd.
Hunters contribute to the season setting
process, sometimes without even knowing it.
By stopping at check stations, participating
in harvest or satisfaction surveys and sending
in biological samples for aging or disease testing,
hunters contribute to the data biologists
and wardens use when considering seasons.
With animal counts in the spring, huntYou
have the power
Now is the time people are planning for their
hunting seasons and putting in applications
for Wyoming's big game. Some deadlines are
drawing near while others have already passed.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will
meet in Casper this month to approve hunting
seasons. It can be concerning to submit an
application for seasons that aren't yet finalized,
but there are options for people who aren't
quite sure if their hunt plans will work with the
seasons. Hunters can withdraw or modify their
hunt applications after reviewing recommendations.
The deadline to modify or withdraw an
application varies by species, but the earliest
deadline is April 17 for bighorn sheep, bison,
moose and mountain goat.
Visit https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Application-Dates-and-Deadlines
to see the last date to
withdraw or modify your hunt applications.
ing data collected in the fall and surveys
conducted in the winter, wildlife managers
work hard all year to get a full view of what is
happening with Wyoming's big game herds.
The Commission will meet to approve
hunting seasons at their meeting April
17-18 in Casper.
- Tracie Binkerd is the editor of Wyoming Wildlife.
SCAN THE QR
CODES TO VIEW
THE HUNT SEASON
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Wyoming Wildlife | 17

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Public-Meetings https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Application-Dates-and-Deadlines

April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2023