Show Notes
Hunting season in Wyoming is rapidly approaching, and in some instances, is already underway. Wyoming Game and Fish Department Deputy Chief of Wildlife Justin Binfet provides a hunting forecast for many big game and upland species across Wyoming this fall. Binfet also talks about a proposal Game and Fish has on the table to go to a three-year season-setting process starting in 2027. This proposal will be voted on by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in November, and if passed, will replace the year-by-year season-setting process the department currently uses. Binfet also answers some key questions about the three-year season-setting process. ___________________
What does an unprecedented drought mean for your Wyoming hunt this fall? In this episode of the Wyoming Wildlife Podcast, Robert Gagliardi sits down with Justin Binfet, Deputy Chief of Wildlife for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, to break down the complete hunting forecast. We discuss how extreme heat and dry conditions are impacting wildlife across the state, from booming elk herds to the slow recovery of mule deer and pronghorn after the devastating '22-'23 winter. Plus, Justin reveals an inside look at a major proposal to shift Wyoming to a 3-year season-setting process starting in 2027. Whether you're chasing bull elk, glassing for muley bucks, or hunting waterfowl, this episode is packed with the on-the-ground intel you need for a successful season.
Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome & The "Unprecedented" Wyoming Drought
02:09 - How Poor Nutrition Impacts Fawn Survival
04:34 - Elk Forecast: Why Wyoming Herds are Booming
06:25 - Mule Deer Outlook: Rebounding from the Harsh '22-'23 Winter
08:35 - Pronghorn Antelope: A Mixed Bag for Hunters
10:06 - News for Bird Hunters: Sage Grouse & Waterfowl Impacts
13:29 - Expert Advice for Hunting During a Severe Drought
15:14 - BIG CHANGE: The Proposed 3-Year Season Setting Process
19:38 - How Game & Fish Will Handle Wildlife Emergencies
Wyoming hunting season, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, elk hunting forecast, mule deer hunting, pronghorn antelope, hunting drought impacts, sage grouse, Wyoming wildlife management.
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