MONROE - Camouflage or collared shirts, you can wear what you like if you like the outdoors.
The Department of Natural Resources' annual Conservation Congress met Monday night at Monroe Middle School to discuss a number of topics, including deer management changes and a proposed change to the trolling law.
Two delegates were elected by the public to give voice to the average outdoor lover at DNR meetings. Troy Klessinger, Juda, was elected to a repeat two-year term and Erik Onsrud, Monroe, was elected to a three-year term on the Conservation Congress. The delegates are mandated to attend at least four meetings per year. The DNR asks for these delegates to serve as watchdogs for the county to make sure public opinion is heard.
As one official on the board put it, "It's really only four days out of your year."
A short presentation by Green County wildlife officials on deer management was also given. Chronic Wasting Disease in deer was discussed, but since there were only four reported cases in the county last year, the CWD zone will be dissolved. Wildlife Biologist Mike Poy likened CWD to HIV, saying it is less like a fast-moving disease such as Ebola since CWD takes its time gestating in the population.
Officials said that CWD cases are higher in Lafayette County and that they're worried it will spill over into Green County.
"It's definitely not a good sign for deer hunting in the future," Poy said.
There has been work to try and make a vaccine in Wyoming, but it is still in progress. Brian Richards, another delegate to the Conservation Congress, said even if a vaccine is proven to work, it could be decades until it could be deemed successful.
After reading advisory questions to the crowd of about 30 people, there was discussion over a resolution penned by Craig Kline, a Green County resident. He proposed that the trapping limit for otters be set at five otters, as in Iowa. Mike Poy said since otters tend to move away from water systems when they freeze over, it is tricky to pin down a bag limit for the otters.
"I mean, you maybe can catch one to three a season," Kline said.
The Conservation Congress will review the results from the 58-question survey attendees took at the meeting and choose whether to uphold public opinion or to table or reject the results of the advisory questions. The results will then be put to the Natural Board of Resources as advisement to determine whether any advisory results should be passed on to the U.S. Congress.
The Department of Natural Resources' annual Conservation Congress met Monday night at Monroe Middle School to discuss a number of topics, including deer management changes and a proposed change to the trolling law.
Two delegates were elected by the public to give voice to the average outdoor lover at DNR meetings. Troy Klessinger, Juda, was elected to a repeat two-year term and Erik Onsrud, Monroe, was elected to a three-year term on the Conservation Congress. The delegates are mandated to attend at least four meetings per year. The DNR asks for these delegates to serve as watchdogs for the county to make sure public opinion is heard.
As one official on the board put it, "It's really only four days out of your year."
A short presentation by Green County wildlife officials on deer management was also given. Chronic Wasting Disease in deer was discussed, but since there were only four reported cases in the county last year, the CWD zone will be dissolved. Wildlife Biologist Mike Poy likened CWD to HIV, saying it is less like a fast-moving disease such as Ebola since CWD takes its time gestating in the population.
Officials said that CWD cases are higher in Lafayette County and that they're worried it will spill over into Green County.
"It's definitely not a good sign for deer hunting in the future," Poy said.
There has been work to try and make a vaccine in Wyoming, but it is still in progress. Brian Richards, another delegate to the Conservation Congress, said even if a vaccine is proven to work, it could be decades until it could be deemed successful.
After reading advisory questions to the crowd of about 30 people, there was discussion over a resolution penned by Craig Kline, a Green County resident. He proposed that the trapping limit for otters be set at five otters, as in Iowa. Mike Poy said since otters tend to move away from water systems when they freeze over, it is tricky to pin down a bag limit for the otters.
"I mean, you maybe can catch one to three a season," Kline said.
The Conservation Congress will review the results from the 58-question survey attendees took at the meeting and choose whether to uphold public opinion or to table or reject the results of the advisory questions. The results will then be put to the Natural Board of Resources as advisement to determine whether any advisory results should be passed on to the U.S. Congress.