Game and Fish reinstates nonresident daily fishing license sales as governor eases more restrictions

Wyoming Game and Fish Department began selling nonresident daily and five-day licenses on Saturday, May 9. For maximum social distancing, daily and annual licenses as well as conservation stamps can be purchased online and saved to a smartphone for proof in the field. Licenses can also be purchased at regional offices during business hours and at license selling agents.

For those bringing a boat to Wyoming, aquatic invasive species check stations are open. All boaters must stop when coming upon an AIS inspection station, and should expect new protocols due to state guidelines related to COVID-19. Inspectors will be taking extra precautions to social distance.

Any watercraft transported into Wyoming from March 1 through November 30 must undergo a mandatory inspection by an authorized inspector prior to launching on any Wyoming waterway. If boaters entering Wyoming do not encounter an open AIS check station on their route of travel, it is the boater’s responsibility to seek out an inspection before launching on any Wyoming waterway. Review the full details on AIS requirements before traveling.

Bears awake and active

The Game and Fish Department reminds outdoor recreationists and rural homeowners in bear-inhabited areas of Wyoming to maintain awareness of bears. Already this year, there have been bear conflicts and one human injury in Wyoming. 

“Even the most experienced recreationist or rural homeowner who has lived in bear country for years can wind up in a close encounter or conflict situation with a bear,” Bear Wise Coordinator Dusty Lasseter said. “We want people to stay diligent to avoid any potential bear conflicts.”

Lasster is the coordinator of the bear education program, Bear Wise Wyoming. It is a resource for recreationists, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who lives in bear country. Lassester said everyone has a role in putting bear safety-practices in place this spring.

For people who live in bear country — black or grizzly — Lasseter recommends keeping garbage, livestock or pet feed and birdseed properly stored and unavailable to bears.  Barbeque grills should be kept clean and stored in a garage or shed when possible.  This limits attractants that can draw them to areas where people live or camp. 

“The majority of the people in rural areas of Wyoming where bears roam do an excellent job of securing attractants to keep foods away from bears but it’s important to remain vigilant and remember to secure attractants to minimize the potential for conflict,” Lasseter said.

Those who recreate in bear country also need to be aware of the potential for encounters with bears. When recreating in bear habitat, be prepared and alert. Hike in a group and make noise as you travel so bears can hear you. Learn to recognize areas of heavy bear use by knowing how to identify tracks, scats and diggings, and if you smell a carcass, avoid it. Flocks of magpies or ravens often indicate a nearby potential food source for bears. Remember, when bears scavenge large animals they often cover what they can’t eat with brush or dirt and may stay nearby for several days to defend it from other large carnivores.

Commercially available bear spray is an effective deterrent if confronted by a bear. Carry bear spray in a readily accessible manner and make sure the spray is EPA approved.  Use bear spray only as a deterrent and as a last resort to avoiding a physical encounter. 

Game and Fish strives to manage conflict resolution between people and large carnivores, as well as quantifying and evaluating how situations occur. It is critical the public notifies Game and Fish if a conflict arises as soon as possible.  

“In most conflict situations, bears do not interact with people, rather they obtain unsecured human foods, livestock or pet foods, garbage or birdseed,” Lasseter said.

Many times, Game and Fish can take action to effectively deter ongoing conflicts, which is good for people and bears.