October, 2002

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October sunset on the Sawtooths. Photo by Dave Bell. For more of Dave's photos, please go to our Photo Gallery.

Yellowstone Grizzlies
Wyoming Game & Fish
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST), reported today that 50 different sets of females with cubs were counted in the Yellowstone area in 2002. "Fifty of these females were in and around the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone," said Mark Haroldson of the IGBST. "This 2002 number is a new record high for the number of females seen with cubs." At least 102 cubs were observed to be associated with these 50 females. These 2002 numbers continue to indicate an increasing Yellowstone grizzly bear population, he said. Through Oct. 9, there have been 13 known and probable human-caused grizzly bear mortalities or live removals in the 14,481 square mile area where mortalities are counted under the mortality limits in the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. Live removals are considered as mortalities in terms of their effect on the overall grizzly bear population. Of these 13 mortalities or live removals -- six males, six females and one unknown -- six were the result of management removals after conflicts with human activities. Two bears were killed in self-defense. One self-defense encounter involved a hunter at an elk carcass, and the other occurred at a private residence. Three illegal mortalities were documented, and two bears were killed by vehicles in Yellowstone National Park. "In addition to these deaths, another grizzly bear was killed in a management action at the southern extent of grizzly bear range. This was the first occurrence of a grizzly bear in this area in 50 to 80 years," Haroldson said. This bear was killed due to a sheep depredation in the Wyoming Range, 80 miles south of Yellowstone National Park, and only 66 miles northeast of Bear Lake, Utah.
    Earlier in the year, IGBST biologists had cautioned that poor habitat conditions could lead to increased dispersal of bears and increased risk of conflicts. The whitebark pine cone crop was poor throughout the Yellowstone area this fall. As a result, grizzly bears are frequenting mid- and lower- elevation areas in search of alternate food sources, one of which is carcasses and offal from hunter kills.
   Recreationists, hunters, and those who live in bear country should be aware of this and take the appropriate measures to avoid encounters with grizzly bears. To date, there have been several conflicts between grizzly bears and hunters over game carcasses. One of these conflicts resulted in minor human injuries and a dead bear; another case resulted in a wounded bear. Hunters should attempt to secure their game the same day that they harvest it. At the very least, it is important that they distance the remaining meat from the gut pile. In many situations involving a close encounter, bear spray can be an effective alternate to deadly force.
   The Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear managers will hold their annual fall meeting Nov. 5 - 6, at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman, Mont. The managers include staff from Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks; the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Bridger-Teton,
Caribou-Targhee, Custer and Gallatin National Forests; the wildlife agencies of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming; the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and the U.S. Geological Survey.

• January 24, 2003 Jackson Hole, Vet Check
• January 25, 2003 Jackson Hole, Stage One
• January 26, 2003 Dubois, Stage Two
• January 27, 2003 Lander, Stage Three
• January 28, 2003 Evanston/Mtn View/Lyman, Stage Four
• January 29, 2003 Kemmerer, Stage Five
• January 30, 2003 Alpine, Stage Six
• January 31, 2003 Pinedale, Stage Seven
• February 1, 2003 Teton Village, Stage Eight

Memorial Service for Don Sherman Sr (10/16/02)
Memorial Services for Don Sherman, Sr. will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. at Hudson's Funeral Home, 164 N. Bridger in Pinedale. Graveside services will follow at Pinedale Cemetery. For more information call Hudson's at 307-367-2321.

Kresge Challenge (10/16/02)
Contributed by Jennifer Binning
The Pinedale Fine Arts Council would like to invite everyone to the kick off event in a series of Endowment Awareness Social Hours.
Due to the escalating costs of bringing quality fine arts presentations to Sublette County, the Pinedale Fine Arts Council has teamed up with a Kresge Foundation matching grant program to help begin laying the framework for an endowment. In this first of many Social Hours, renown classical guitarist Robert Bluestone will entertain guests as they nibble on after work hors d'oeuvres and cocktails and learn more about the need for a fine arts endowment.
   The fun begins on Monday, October 21 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Sublette County Library. On Tuesday, October 22, the Green River Valley Museum in Big Piney will hold the event between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Wyoming Community Assessments
The Wyoming Rural Development Council will conduct 2003 community assessments in Pinedale May 6 to May 8. Community assessments average one to three days and consist of public town-hall forums within a community for separate interest groups such as middle and high school students, senior citizens, educators, business owners, parents, government officials, health professionals and law enforcement. A team leader and resource team of approximately six people is assigned to each community to help facilitate the meetings. After all meetings are concluded, the resource team develops a report for the community detailing key issues, recommendations and lists of resources. This report gives the community a road map to implement strategies for improvement or growth. "Community assessments help a community take a mirror look at itself. Assessments are holistic - in an assessment we look at a community environmentally, socially and economically," said Mary Randolph, executive director for the Wyoming Rural Development Council. "Community assessments are the first step for a community doing strategic planning to help that community design its own future."
   Individuals in the state who have an interest in helping Wyoming communities and have professional expertise that can benefit a community looking at improvements and development can be a resource team member. An expertise or access to resources in housing, economic development, marketing, health, education, land use planning and tourism are examples of relevant experience needed for community assessments.
   Thirty-one community assessments have been conducted throughout Wyoming. The next resource team training will be held Thursday, Nov. 21 in Cheyenne from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The location will be announced later. Individuals interested in becoming a resource team member should contact Mary Randolph at (307) 777-6430. For more information on community assessments visit www.wyomingrural.org.

Wyoming Business Council Energy Division offers 2 Scholarships to Science Fair Projects
Two educational scholarships, totaling $2,000, are available through the Energy Division of the Wyoming Business Council. The scholarships, available in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy, will be awarded to students whose science fair projects have advanced to the state science fair. Projects focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency or innovative and cost effective energy development or production will be eligible.
   "This is part of our continuing effort to promote energy conservation among Wyoming high school students," said John Nunley, manager of the State Energy Program. "The scholarships can be used to defray tuition, books and other academic expenses at the institution of the winners' choice."
   The project judged to be best by the energy office or the Wyoming Science Fair Foundation will receive a $1,250 scholarship and the second-place project will be awarded $750. Funds will be held for distribution if a student doesn't attend college immediately after winning the award. Students who do not attend college or an advanced school such as a trade school will forfeit funds awarded under this program.
   For more information contact Nunley at (307) 777-2804 or Dale Hoffman at (307) 777-2805.

Preschool Story Hour at the Library (10/4/02)
The Pinedale Branch of the Sublette County Library is hosting a Preschool Story Hour every Thursday at 10 am. Each week offers something new for little children.
  October 3: Fall Books/Leaf Craft
  October 10: Celebrate Columbus Day
  October 17: Guest Story Reader
  October 24: Guest Story Reader
  October 31: Little Kid's Party
More information about the Library, services, and hours are available by calling 367-4114 or visiting them on the web at: www.pinedaleonline.com/library.

Ranchland Preservation Workshop (10/4/02)
The Sonoran Institute will present a 2-day educational workshop on Ranchland Preservation on October 30th and 31st. Day 1 takes place upstairs at Lakeside Lodge on Fremont Lake, and is tentatively scheduled for 3 - 9 p.m. The topic for this day will address the question, "What is the Status of Ranching in Sublette County?" Issues, values and problems will be discussed. Day 2 takes place at the Pinedale Library and is tentatively scheduled for 4- 9 p.m. Discussions on this day will address the different ranchland preservation tools that could be appropriate for Sublette County and how they might be implemented.

Safe Trick or Treating (10/4/02)
11th Annual Halloween Safe Trick or Treat Night
The Sublette Center in Pinedale will once again be sponsoring its annual Safe Trick or Treat night on Halloween. The fun begins at 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm on Thursday, October 31st. Participants are asked to enter at Bridger Avenue and follow the signs through the Center. Residents and volunteers will be handing out candy in the sitting room, the grand dining room, and in the Heritage Room, and typically give out approximately $1,000 worth of candy to children who attend on Halloween night. The Center is asking for donations of candy, cash or toys for the event. Please call 307-367-4161 for more information or stop by at 333 Bridger Avenue. More information about the Sublette Center can be found at their web site at: www.sublettecenter.com.

Memorial Service for Sue Warren (10/4/02)
Memorial Services for Sue Warren will be held at the St. Andrew's in the Pines Episcopal Church in Pinedale on Saturday, October 12th. Judy Martin will officiate. Service will be at 11 am.

West Nile Virus and Wild Game in Wyoming
Wyoming Game & Fish
Although West Nile virus frequently infects horses, there is no evidence deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep and moose are susceptible to the disease, so hunters should not worry about contracting the disease from eating their venison, reports the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. But, Todd Cornish, the Laboratory’s veterinary pathologist, says that although the chance of contracting the virus from eating game birds is remote, hunters are advised to take some precautions. “As we have always advised hunters not to shoot sick big game, the invasion of West Nile virus makes that a good policy for game birds, too,” he said. As another precaution, Cornish recommends bird hunters refrain from eating the heart, liver, gizzard and any other internal organ. The organs can harbor high concentrations of the virus. He says research with domestic poultry shows the virus runs its course and quickly clears the bloodstream of chickens. Although it is probable the situation is similar for wild fowl, he cannot guarantee that until more research is conducted. “The final step of thorough cooking makes the chance of contracting the virus from eating game birds very remote,” Cornish said, while also re-emphasizing the long-standing suggestion of wearing rubber gloves when cleaning all game.
   The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports there is no evidence that West Nile virus can be contracted by handling a live or dead diseased bird. Likewise, hunters shouldn’t be worried about their dogs getting infected by retrieving a diseased bird. Dogs, like horses, can become infected when bitten by infected mosquitoes, but rarely display symptoms. If the uncommon symptoms of unusual head bobbing and lethargy appear, a veterinarian should be consulted. “There’s certainly more chance of contracting West Nile virus from a mosquito bite than from a bird, but we can’t conclusively say there is no chance until more research is done,” Cornish said.
    West Nile was first detected in North America in New York City n 1999 and has since spread as far west as the Rocky Mountains. The vast majority of humans contracting the disease do not get sick. Some individuals exhibit flu-like symptoms and in rare cases older persons can have serious encephalitis or meningitis symptoms. Cattle respond to infection by producing antibodies but do not display symptoms. The growing demands of monitoring and researching wildlife diseases, such as West Nile virus, is one of the expanding financial and workforce challenges facing the Game and Fish Department.

• Several local restaurants are looking for wait person help, dishwashers, and part-time cooks. See Sweetwater's Soda Shoppe or McGregor's Pub if you are interested.
• Nocora is taking applications for year-round full time sewing macine operators and prep workers, no experience necessary. Call them at 307-367-2206 or pick up an application at 269 S. Cole.
• Also, White Pine Ski Area is gearing up for the 2002-2003 winter season and is looking for full and part-time help wiht the lift crew, food service, ticket office and ski & snowboard instructors. Call the ski area at 207-367-6606 ext 6 to request an application.
• GM Construction is looking for carpenters to work in the Big Piney area. Pay is $15-$25/hour, depending on experience, and housing is available. Call them at 307-859-8229.
• The Pinedale Roundup newspaper is looking for a full-time general assignment writer/photographer. Send resume with references to the Pinedale Roundup at PO Box 100, Pinedale 82941 or call Rob at 307-367-2123.
• Questar Exploration & Production is looking for a Senior Utility Worker/Field Operator in the Pinedale Field. Must have 1-2 years experience in operation and maintenance of oil and natural gas wells, various types of production equipment, compressors, and pumps. Must operator four wheel drive equipment, possess valid driver's license, pass drug screening and subject to DOT requirements. Resume and salary requirements can be sent to Frances Bosch, Questar Exploration & Production, PO Box 45601, Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0601 or fax to 801-324-2782.
• The best way to get more information about local jobs is in the classifieds of our two local newspapers, the Pinedale Roundup and the Sublette Examiner, which are printed weekly on Thursdays. The nearest Job Placement Services office is in Rock Springs, Wyoming, but many of the local jobs are not advertised with this agency. The Pinedale Area Chamber of Commerce/Sublette County Visitor's Center can provide information about the area, local businesses, and real estate.

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