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April 3, 2008 BOARD MATTER H-3 ACTION: Enrollment of X Bar Ranch into a Wyoming Game and Fish Hunter

Management Access Program AUTHORITY: W.S. 36-2-101; Rules Chapters 4 and 13 OSLI has collaborated with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) to determine what hunting and fishing access could be permitted on the X Bar Ranch. Both agencies agree that a conservative level of sportsman activity should be maintained through the first year the public is allowed on the property, in order to provide a safe and rewarding recreational experience. The most effective means to accomplish this objective is through the WGFD’s Hunter Management Area (HMA) program. WGFD would employ an HMA program year-round on the X Bar Ranch. During the hunting season, a limited number of permission slips would be issued in a fair and equitable manner through WGFD’s internet web site. WGFD would provide oversight of access, species hunted, and law enforcement year-round. General Access The public would be limited to a maximum of six parking areas during the hunting season and four during the rest of the year. These parking areas will be located throughout the ranch. Access from the parking areas would be restricted to foot or horseback only. No motorized vehicles would be allowed off the designated roads. Any time not during the hunting season, the public would be limited to only four parking areas to take into account the general recreational closure on the east half of the ranch. The east half will be closed to general recreation due to the intense ranching activities occurring throughout the year, and the abundance of ranch dwellings present. The whole ranch will be closed to public use starting January 1 through March 31 every year to coincide with the crucial elk and mule deer winter range restrictions already in place on Sheep Mountain. This closure is designed to protect wintering wildlife during the most crucial and hard time of the year. Hunting Access On the east half of the ranch, there would be an Archery Hunting Only area. This area is designed to take into account the safety issues in regards to the abundance of dwellings present, livestock feeding activities, and harvest numbers desired by the WGFD. There will also be a Mentored Youth Hunting Area encompassing the southwest corner of the ranch. With-in this area a controlled number of youth hunters (most with hunter education relatively fresh in their minds), each with a mentoring adult (having nothing to do but be aware of their surroundings and properly coach the hunt) will encourage care noticeably better than the lone "average Joe" hunter simply hurrying to get his buck before another hunter. By relying on two sets of eyes for each rifle in the field, hunters are able to avoid any accidents which could jeopardize future hunting in the area. Due to the exceedingly flat terrain, the number of developments adjacent to the State property (including several family homes as well as numerous vehicles, sheds, barns, and livestock facilities), as well as the center pivot irrigation system on the X-Bar Ranch, it is necessary to help ensure a safe hunt for everyone involved (directly and indirectly). This area will allow youth hunters to take advantage of the "mentor hunter program" that was recently approved by the legislature. This hunting season the HMA rules will state, "'Mentored Youth Hunting Only' area is ONLY open to hunters holding a 'youth' license, an X-Bar Ranch HMA permission slip, and who is accompanied by an adult (over 18 years of age)." As stated above, the rest of the ranch not involved in these areas will be open to hunters who obtain a permission slip via the WGFD web site and will be required to follow the HMA rules. In addition to the number of permission slips granted to the public there will be a limited number, decided by the OSLI and WGFD, given to the current lessee to hand out at his discretion. These permission slips are designed to increase the harvest of antelope as desired by the WGFD, and to allow greater safety and enhanced sportsmanship during the hunting season.

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Following are WGFD permission slip recommendations: SPECIES METHOD # HUNTERS QUOTA DATES Antelope Archery

Only Area Archery Rifle

15 15 10 10

Limited Limited Limited Limited

9/20–10/14/08 8/15-9/19/08 9/20-9/27/08 9/28-10/5/08

Mule Deer Archery Rifle

Unlimited General

9/1-10/14/08

Elk Archery Rifle

Unlimited General General

9/1-9/30/08 10/15-10/31/08

Other Listed Species

Unlimited

Safety As a standard operating procedure, WGFD will place a three hundred yard safety zone around all buildings, corrals, livestock, etc. where concerns of high-powered rifles exist. WGFD rules will provide that only limited distance hunting equipment may be used within safety zones and around buildings. All safety zone areas will be noted on the HMA maps. WGFD will also adequately post signage around the ranch as it pertains to certain HMA rules. Advertisement/Public Relations WGFD will advertise the X Bar Ranch HMA in the same manner as other HMAs through WGFD publications and Internet web site. OSLI will preview all WGFD publications and news releases prior to issuance. DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION: The Director recommends that the Board approve the above-described Hunter Management Area on the X Bar Ranch. Board Action: _________________________________________________________

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March 21.2008

Fotest~ By Jason Crowder