Elk Hunting Attracts Greater Percentage of Women

MISSOULA, Mont.- New research on hunter demographics shows more women per capita are attracted to elk hunting than most other kinds of hunting, according to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

More than 60,000 elk hunters today are female. Though still predominantly a male pursuit, new data show that women compose 7.6 percent of all elk hunters. That’s greater representation than in turkey, duck, goose, dove, quail, pheasant, rabbit or squirrel hunting. In fact, among America’s most common game species, only deer hunting has a greater percentage of female participation.

“It seems a bit counterintuitive because elk hunting can be the quintessential ‘roughing it’ hunt. But, obviously, women are not intimidated by rugged country, large rifles, unpredictable weather and pursuing animals several times larger than they are,” said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation.

The Elk Foundation’s membership magazine, “Bugle,” has long carried a regular feature titled Women in Elk Country. Articles explore many reasons why women hunt, from pure adventure to providing meat for their families. A special feature in the upcoming Nov./Dec. issue will profile hunting gear and clothing made for women.

A basic Elk Foundation membership, which includes a subscription to “Bugle,” is $35. Visit www.rmef.org or call 800-CALL-ELK. Membership also supports the Elk Foundation’s mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat.

Research data are based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation,” prepared for the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s “Industry Intelligence Reports” Vol. 2, No. 9, 2008.

USE CAUTION WHEN TRANSPORTING FIREWOOD BETWEEN STATES

CHEYENNE-- Wildlife and forestry officials are encouraging recreationists visiting Wyoming this summer and fall to be cautious about transporting firewood across state lines.

"Firewood carries insects and diseases that can kill trees," explains Les Koch of Wyoming State Forestry. "Any firewood brought into Wyoming should be completely burned at the campsite in compliance with local fire restrictions. Better yet, leave firewood at home and buy from a local source instead."



Of special concern is the emerald ash borer, an exotic beetle from Asia that has killed more than 20 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Koch and other forestry managers are concerned that the beetle could be introduced in Wyoming unknowingly through firewood from an infected area.



"Wyoming has a small but important ash population that we want to conserve," said Koch. Other insect species, such as the mountain pine beetle, gypsy moth and sirex woodwasps also have the potential to destroy forests.



Each insect harms the tree in different ways. Emerald ash borer larvae chew through bark, feeding on the tree for several weeks. Pine beetles carry a fungus that clogs the vascular tissue carrying nutrients to the tree's needles, gradually killing the tree.



The Wyoming Game and Fish is urging sportsmen to cooperate with the firewood guidelines to help preserve Wyoming's natural resources.



"Forests are a vital habitat to hundreds of Wyoming's wildlife species. Detection, control and eradication of invasive insect species is a huge undertaking, if it's possible at all. We want to do everything we can now to lessen the likelihood of any new species becoming established in our state," said Gary Butler, habitat program manager for the Game and Fish.



The emerald ash borer problem has become so serious in some states that government agencies have instituted quarantine laws on ash materials. Individuals or businesses in Michigan found to violate the quarantine can be subject to fines up to $250,000 and jail time. Koch hopes Wyoming never has to face that problem.



Wyoming residents should also follow the same guidelines and not transport firewood to other states.



"No citizen would want to be responsible for transporting and introducing a species like the mountain pine beetle or emerald ash borer into the natural beauty of our nation's forests," he said.

NATIONAL ELK REFUGE ELK HUNTING PERMITS TO BE ISSUED ONLINE IN WYOMING

JACKSON-- National Elk Refuge Manager Steve Kallin and Wyoming Game and Fish Department Jackson Region Wildlife Supervisor Tim Fuchs announce the initiation of a new online application process for obtaining elk hunting permits for the National Elk Refuge. Wyoming Game and Fish Department staff have worked closely with refuge personnel to expand the State's computerized system for its Private Lands Public Wildlife (PLPW) access program to include the National Elk Refuge.

Hunters will now use an online system starting Aug. 12 through Oct. 3, 2008 to apply for National Elk Refuge elk hunting permits. A computerized random draw will take place on Oct. 6 for all of the hunt periods, with the results posted on the application web site by Oct. 7. Click here for PLPW Hunter Management Web site.



The new process was implemented to provide a more equitable permitting system to all Wyoming and nonresident hunters and allow them to better plan their fall elk hunt knowing they have a permit to hunt on the refuge before they leave home. Previously, hunters were required to attend a weekly public drawing at the Teton County Fairgrounds to obtain a permit for Elk Hunt Area 77, the hunt area that lies within the National Elk Refuge. The drawings were held at 4:30 p.m. each Friday during the hunting season. The required attendance at the weekly drawings made it difficult for persons with inflexible work schedules or those attending from out of town. Persons interested in hunting on the weekend would not know until Friday evening if they had received a permit for the upcoming hunt period beginning on Saturday. With the computerized system, hunters will be able to apply for, receive, and print refuge elk hunt permits from the convenience of their home and know well in advance the dates they will be allowed to hunt.



Hunters will complete the application online for either the north or south unit hunt on the National Elk Refuge, initially applying for no more than one hunt period per unit. Hunt periods will be one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week. After the computerized random draw on October 6, the system will continue to be active to allow access to leftover and alternate permits. Any unissued permits will be available through the same online system on a first-come, first serve basis, including persons who were successful for another hunt period in the October 6 drawing. Hunters may not hold a permit for both the north and south units during the same week.



Alternate permits will be available for each week of the hunt season, excluding the first week. Alternate

permits will become available two weeks before the hunt period begins, with 35 permits valid for Monday-Friday and 35 permits valid for Wednesday-Friday to help with distribution of hunters in the field.



Complete information for elk hunting on the National Elk Refuge, including the application process, permit availability, alternate permits, and regulations can be found at http://www.fws.gov/nationalelkrefuge/NERHuntingRegs.htm



Persons without internet access or those that need assistance will be able to complete the permitting process from a terminal at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center in Jackson, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department Jackson regional office, or any other computer with internet access and a printer. Personal assistance is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and at the Visitor Center on Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.



For further information, please contact the Jackson Game and Fish office at (307) 733-2321 or (800) 423-4113, or call the National Elk Refuge headquarters at (307) 733-9212.

WY - NEW TV SERIES TO FOCUS ON WILDLIFE ISSUES IN WYOMING

CHEYENNE - A new series of TV shows produced by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will take an in-depth look at some of the most important wildlife-related issues in Wyoming.

Wyoming Wildlife TV, a 13-episode series of half-hours shows, will air on every Sunday night at 10:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 7 on KCWY, Channel 13.

"Wildlife is extremely important to Wyoming's citizens, and to the economy of the state," says Game and Fish Public Information Officer Eric Keszler. "We developed this series as a resource for people who want to know more about the issues and challenges facing our wildlife and their habitats...everything from drought and habitat loss to wildlife diseases and energy development. We'll also look at some of the great work going on around the state to improve our wildlife resources and the habitats they rely on. Whether you're a hunter or angler, or just someone who appreciates wildlife and wide-open spaces, this series is a great way to learn more about what's going on with Wyoming's wildlife."



Wyoming Wildlife TV is an interview-based show, featuring information and opinions from wildlife experts with a variety of agencies and organizations involved with Wyoming wildlife. The show also features stunning footage of Wyoming's wildlife in their native habitats.



The show is being broadcast through a unique partnership between the Game and Fish Department and KCWY.



"News 13 is happy to be able to partner with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department on this very important show," says KCWY General Manager Bill Sullivan. "The people of Wyoming, sportsmen or not, are proud of their state, its natural resources, and the quality of life that they are able to enjoy. Wyoming Wildlife TV promises not only to be entertaining but educational, addressing many of the concerns of our wide-ranging audience."



Beginning September 7, Wyoming Wildlife TV can be seen in Cheyenne and Casper on channel 13; Laramie on channel 14, Riverton on channel 30, Sheridan on channel 7, Big Piney on channel 6, and Jackson on channel 2. The station is also carried on many Bresnan, Communicom, and TCT cable systems (check for the channel number in your area) and is on DishTV in the Cheyenne-Scottsbluff areas and the Casper and Riverton areas.