March 2023 - 31

Brushing off shoes and boots prior to and after spending time on the water is a good way to prevent the spread of New Zealand mudsnails. (Photo by Nicki Edwards/WGFD)
" Based on what we've seen in other states
and here in Wyoming, mudsnails would be
pretty hard to eradicate. In flowing waters
or even a reservoir, I don't think eradication
would be a feasible option, " Hansen said.
PREVENTION IS KEY
To help stop the spread of existing
mudsnail populations and prevent new
populations from forming, Game and Fish
continues to monitor waters around the state
and informs the public when new populations
are identified. The department strongly urges
anglers to thoroughly clean their boots and
other equipment before going to another location.
Boot brush stations have been installed
at a limited number of public access points
to help with this effort, but ultimately it is
the angler's responsibility to find a way to
clean their gear.
An angler's first step should be to
remove all mud and plants from gear, either
through rinsing or brushing the material
with a stiff-bristled brush. Allow gear to dry
completely in low humidity for at least 48
hours. Gear also can be frozen for a minimum
of four hours at 26 degrees Fahrenheit
or soaked in 120-degree Fahrenheit water
for a minimum of 10 minutes. Using hot
water is not advised for Gortex. Formula 409
disinfectant spray or Virkon can be effective
in killing mudsnails if gear is exposed to the
chemical for a minimum of 10 minutes, but
chemicals can deteriorate equipment and
may have unintended environmental consequences.
Bleach is not recommended to kill
mudsnails. All equipment and gear including
waders - especially those with felt soles -
fishing rods and tackle boxes, drift boats and
anchors should be cleaned and dried between
uses at different locations.
At the end of the day, prevention is the
best option for protecting Wyoming's natural
resources and Clean, Drain, Dry remains the
most effective method for keeping aquatic
invasive species out of the state's waters.
- Stephanie Estell is a Game and Fish aquatic invasive
species specialist in the Laramie Region.
The department strongly
urges anglers to thoroughly
clean their boots and other
equipment before going to
another location.
Wyoming Wildlife | 31

March 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2023

March 2023 - 1
March 2023 - 2
March 2023 - 3
March 2023 - 4
March 2023 - 5
March 2023 - 6
March 2023 - 7
March 2023 - 8
March 2023 - 9
March 2023 - 10
March 2023 - 11
March 2023 - 12
March 2023 - 13
March 2023 - 14
March 2023 - 15
March 2023 - 16
March 2023 - 17
March 2023 - 18
March 2023 - 19
March 2023 - 20
March 2023 - 21
March 2023 - 22
March 2023 - 23
March 2023 - 24
March 2023 - 25
March 2023 - 26
March 2023 - 27
March 2023 - 28
March 2023 - 29
March 2023 - 30
March 2023 - 31
March 2023 - 32
March 2023 - 33
March 2023 - 34
March 2023 - 35
March 2023 - 36
March 2023 - 37
March 2023 - 38
March 2023 - 39
March 2023 - 40
March 2023 - 41
March 2023 - 42
March 2023 - 43
March 2023 - 44
March 2023 - 45
March 2023 - 46
March 2023 - 47
March 2023 - 48
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/wyoming-wildlife-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2024-e-edition
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-iak-special-issue
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/dec-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/January2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/December2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/September2020
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com