September CONSERVING WILDLIFE - SERVING PEOPLE FEATURES 18 A short fall Wyoming Game and Fish Department employees share some of their favorite fall photos from throughout the Cowboy State. 26 Echoes in darkness Nighttime hydroacoustic surveys provide population estimates for one of Wyoming's desirable fish species. 18 26 ON THE COVER Photography is often described as painting with light, and this burrowing owl image illustrates that notion. The photographer set up his blind the night before in a central Wyoming prairie dog town where he spotted several owls. He entered the blind in the dark and waited for the sunrise. As the first rays of morning light kissed the landscape, this owl popped up. The light on the subject and dark shadows behind it made the perfect setup for this shot. Settings used for this photo: Canon EOS R5, 1/500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 500. (Photo by Tim Christie) 32 ON THE BACKPAGE Wyoming Game and Fish Department Assistant Fish Culture Supervisor Travis Trimble, Sheridan Regional Fisheries Supervisor Paul Mavrakis and Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Josh Leonard evaluate fish to be stocked via helicopter at Circle Park near Buffalo. Game and Fish verifies species and locations to be stocked before helicopter stocking efforts, which occur in late summer. (Photo by Emalee Smith/WGFD) 32 Turf wars From rubs and scrapes to bugling and sparring, these clues can help hunters in pursuit of game this fall. 38 The wading game There are several varieties of waders for angling and hunting, and lots to consider before using them. REGULAR SECTIONS 2 From the Director 4 A Couple Pennies 6 8 Opening Shot News 12 Inspire a Kid 13 Project Profiles 14 Working Together 16 In the Field 46 Wild Country Dispatch Wyoming Wildlife | 5https://wgfd.wyo.gov/