November 2017

from the central waterways of the North Platte River to the scenic Black Hills 1

Hunting Gobble, Gobble Game and Fish personnel along with volunteers in the Black Hills completed counting wild turkey poults and classifying adult wild turkeys. This year wild turkey reproduc-tion and survival in the Black Hills was very good. Following good poult pro-duction and survival the past few years, wild turkey numbers have bounced back significantly from where they were just three years ago, and the tom to hen ratio is about as high as it gets in Wyoming’s premier wild turkey hunting area. The chief objective of brood counts is to assess annual reproduction in a population of wild turkeys. Brood surveys can also be used to gain in-sight into population trends and assess distribution of wild turkeys dur-ing summer. Wild turkey poult production and survival seem to be the primary factors influencing the dynamics of Merriam’s wild turkey pop-ulations, as winter survival of hens most years is good. Brood count data are analyzed by tracking records over several years to establish average production and a normal range of variation. After several years of rec-ords are compiled, data from each successive year can be compared to determine if production is above or below average.

Inside This Month’s Issue:

On the Ground Beaver Restoration

Behind the Badge A Busy Fall

Of Interest Drones, Bull Elk Antlers, Cow Elk?

WGFD Casper Region Newsletter November 2017

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These data can also be compared against production figures published in the scientific literature. Brood counts can be done to assess annual reproduction (poult production and survival). This information can be useful for hunting season forecasts based upon a general correlation between brood counts and hunter success the sub-sequent fall and spring and notably, two years post-hatch. Data from the past twenty years from Wyoming’s Black Hills suggest that the change in spring gobbler harvest is about 50% correlated with the average poult per brood ratios two years prior. This makes sense considering the vast majority of toms harvested from the Black Hills in the spring are two-year-old toms. The prospects for fall and spring hunting are looking pretty fair at this point.

Poult per he poult per brood, and tom per hen ratios along with averages (dotted lines) in the Black Hills since 2007.

Waterfowl Hunting

Duck and goose seasons are open across the Casper Region through November. During the break in seasons in Natrona and Converse counties a large number of American wigeon and Gadwall arrived. Hunters out during the “second opener” saw success with many uneducated birds around. During November, hunters will need to scout and work hard to be successful. Hunters should attempt to hunt during the next cold fronts that arrive, which will likely bring down new ducks with it!

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Poults : Hen

Poults : Brood

Tom:Hen

WGFD Casper Region Newsletter November 2017

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On the Ground Beaver Restoration In October 2017, Game and Fish live-trapped and relocated two nuisance beavers into the riparian restoration project area on Bolton Creek. Several days following release, the beavers showed how resourceful they can be at creating dams by using Christmas trees that Game and Fish stock piled to use for maintenance of the man-made dams. This activity will help with the riparian restoration effort through increasing the number of dams, providing additional structures that will dissipate flood water energy, trap sediment, and expand the riparian habitat community. The expansion of the riparian habitat community will benefit several wildlife species that include, but are not limited to, mule deer, waterfowl and various species of birds. We intend to continue live-trapping nuisance beavers as long as the weather remains relatively warm and the beavers have an opportuni-ty to prepare for the upcoming winter in their new habitat on Bolton Creek.

 

WGFD Casper Region Newsletter November 2017

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Behind the Badge A Busy Fall Casper Region Game and Fish game wardens and wildlife biologist had a busy fall. With weather remaining nice for the majority of big game seasons, check stations and backcountry work remained full of activity.

Hunting seasons can be a busy time of year for Game and Fish employees. This young gentleman dressed up as a junior game warden to volunteer at a biological check station so he could “work” the check station and spend time with his dad.

WGFD Casper Region Newsletter November 2017

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WGFD Casper Region Newsletter November 2017

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Of Interest Drones, Bull Elk Antlers, Cow Elk?

The Douglas Wildlife Biologist Willow Bish recently joined with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to use technology to develop a planting plan for mountain mahogany on state, BLM and public lands. A drone was used to fly over these areas to evaluate the vegetation composition. The drone takes photos at preset intervals, and the imag-es are analyzed to obtain the information needed.

This unique bull elk was harvested near Lusk and had three antlers on its right side.

This elk was harvested in Elk Hunt Area 7 south of Glenrock. The hunter found the elk had no testicles, but the elk had a penis. This same elk also had pronounced nipples that look fe-male. The elk was a yearling and had no antlers. The skull had small bone protrusions, but they were not developed enough to support antler growth. Game and Fish is looking into the odd case to determine if the elk had testosterone deficiencies or potentially was hermaphroditic.