By Staff-7-Oct.-’14
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reminds hunters that it is mandatory to stop and report at a game check station even if you have not harvested an animal.
As the law states, every hunter, fisherman or trapper entering or leaving areas for which check stations have been established shall stop and report at the check station if it is on your route to and from the hunting, fishing or trapping area, even if you have not harvested an animal. Hunters also must stop even if the game meat or fish in possession has been cut and wrapped or processed.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been seeing a lot of instances this hunting season where hunters have been driving right past a game check station without stopping. Save yourself a fine and check in with us,” said Robin Kepple, information specialist for the Game and Fish Department.
Game check stations provide a clearinghouse to gather biological data and share information about game populations with hunters. Check station attendants will often measure antler size and body fat on big game animals to gather data on nutritional status and overall physical condition. Teeth are collected in order to age an animal, and lymph nodes are often collected to test for chronic wasting disease. “This is data that helps Game and Fish make management decisions that benefit wildlife populations and, ultimately, benefit hunters,” Kepple said.
