January 2024 - 31

toward objectives and that consistency in statewide
guidance and direction is maintained.
Once Game and Fish has finalized season proposals
in March, the official public comment process
begins. The proposed seasons are posted on the
Game and Fish website, and public meetings are
held in every region - generally in late March.
Season proposals are presented under their affiliated
regulation chapter number, for example elk regulations
are Chapter 7. Comments can be submitted
online, by mail or in person at a regional Game
and Fish office.
Hunting is a primary tool Game and Fish uses
to manage big game populations. All interested
stakeholders, whether active hunters or not, are
encouraged to participate, learn more and provide
feedback.
" While we appreciate and consider all public
input, we particularly encourage interested parties
to submit formal comments on proposed regulations
during the specified public comment period, " said
Doug Brimeyer, Game and Fish deputy chief of
wildlife. " These comments are reviewed directly
by Game and Fish staff and the Commission when
evaluating proposed regulations that govern big
game hunting in Wyoming. "
Wildlife managers review public comments and
make final adjustments as needed. They draft final
season proposals that are re-posted on the website
for public viewing. In April they present the
season proposals during the public Commission
meeting. The Commission reviews the proposals,
including the public comments submitted during
the formal public comment period, and accepts
additional public comments at that time. Chapter
by chapter, the Commission votes to approve the
regulations as presented or with revisions made
during the meeting.
Once the Commission approves the seasons and
they become updated regulations, regional biologists
finalize the JCRs. This indicates the conclusion
of the annual process of managing the harvest of
Wyoming's big game and immediately kicks off the
beginning of the next year's cycle.
Managing Wyoming's big game populations is
a serious responsibility and a complicated task. It
takes dedication from Game and Fish staff, partners,
landowners and the public working together to
ensure management decisions cultivate the longterm
conservation of these important animals and
their habitats.
- Cheyenne Stewart is the Game and Fish wildlife management
coordinator in Jackson and Jason Carlisle is the quantitative
biologist for the Wildlife Division. Editor Tracie Binkerd
also contributed to this article.
Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners Richard Ladwig,
left, and Ralph Brokaw,right, address the public at a
Commission meeting in Cody. (Photo by Patrick Owen/WGFD)
BIG GAME MANAGEMENT ROLES
When it comes to big game management
and hunting seasons, there
are a lot of people and agencies
involved. Here is a brief summary
of key players and the responsibilities
and decision-making authority
of each.
The Wyoming Game and Fish
Department has management
authority for wildlife in the state,
as defined in state statute. The Wyoming
Game and Fish Commission
serves as the policy-making board
of Game and Fish and is composed
of Commissioners appointed by the
Governor. Wildlife management
actions approved by the Commission
are implemented through policies
and regulations, which must
adhere to state statute.
Regional Game and Fish biologists
collate and analyze wildlife management,
habitat and research
data. Not only do Game wardens
enforce wildlife laws, they also
collect wildlife data. Biologists and
game wardens collectively make
wildlife management recommendations.
Regional wildlife coordinators
and supervisors oversee the biologists
and game wardens. Wildlife
administrators, the science research
and analytical support unit and
other statewide personnel provide
oversight and ensure consistency
in Game and Fish management
direction and implementation.
Game and Fish does not have
decision-making authority over land
management decisions, including
wildlife habitats, on any property
other than those owned by the Commission.
Department staff partner
extensively with private landowners,
tribal entities and public land
managers like the U.S. Forest Service,
Bureau of Land Management,
National Park Service and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service on wildlife
management and wildlife habitat
management issues.
- Cheyenne Stewart
Wyoming Wildlife | 31
January 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2024
