Get Outside! (with Wyoming Game and Fish)

Perhaps the surest sign of springtime in Wyoming is the return of the Western Meadowlark. As the official state bird of Wyoming, it's song and colorful appearance makes it a most appropriate choice. Today on "Get Outside" we'll chat with Wyoming Game and Fish Department Senior Biologist Grant Frost, who has some interesting insights about the bird to share...

In July 2025, approximately 2,000 Gunnison River/Hofer-cross rainbow trout were released into the North Tongue River. The fish were transported more than 650 miles from the Pitkin State Fish Hatchery in Colorado. In addition to being long-distance travelers, the fish are special due to a unique genetic trait - they are resistant to the impacts of whirling disease. Today on "Get Outside" We'll chat with Wyoming Game and Fish Sheridan Region Fisheries Biologist Andrew Nikirk, who monitors this popular fishery...

Wyoming has a number of iconic species--pronghorn, elk and rainbow trout to mention a few. But sage grouse have a seat at that table too, and our episode today is with Wyoming Game and Fish Sage Grouse/Sagebrush Biologist Nyssa Whitford, where our topics range from sage grouse numbers, the short hunting season for them, and proper viewing etiquette in the spring.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Southwest Wyoming is not only a beautiful place to go fishing and camping, it has outstanding fishing. Regulation changes in recent months are giving anglers outstanding fishing opportunity. Wyoming Game and Fish Green River Fisheries Biologist John Walrath joins us on today's program.

Summer months mean more opportunities to take photos, but what if you're armed only with a cell phone? Our guests, Elizabeth Boehm and Ron Hayes, are professional photographers who offer us their perspectives as well as a few useful tips to help capture a memorable photo.

The summer boating season is soon to kick off, and in some places, watercraft users have already started thanks to the mild winter Wyoming is having. As boaters and other watercraft users prepare for warmer waters, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Aquatic Invasive Species program is already in operation. Many watercraft check stations opened, as they usually do, on March 1. What do watercraft users need to know heading into another boating season, and what happens if an aquatic invasive species like a zebra or quagga mussel is found on your watercraft? Josh Leonard is the Statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and joins us on today's podcast.

Last year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved $17.5 million to begin research, development, and set-up for raising cool and warm water fish in Wyoming; the existing Speas Hatchery near Casper was selected for expansion. Walleye, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, White and Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Tiger Muskie, and Sauger will be produced there, enabling Game and Fish to produce a reliable and diverse supply of cool/warm water fish species for Wyoming's anglers and eliminating the potential of introducing an aquatic invasive species or prohibited fish pathogen into Wyoming.

2023 has been a busy year for the western part of Wyoming regarding mule deer management—a brutal winter that was perhaps one of the most devastating winters on record may have been the most impactful winter to this herd since it was conceptualized in 1982. Wyoming hunters are looking to this winter with interest as a precipitation-rich spring and summer has produced improved forage conditions…while wondering what might happen if we get a repeat winter like last year. On another front, mule deer in the region will have one less hazard to contend with, and that's the crossing of Highway 189 near Big Piney. Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Biologist Gary Fralick weighs in to discuss both topics.

For spectacular views and outstanding fishing, few places in the U.S. compare to the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. With literally 100’s of lakes in its roughly 100 mile-long reach, the “Winds” offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each year, a crew of Wyoming Game & Fish fisheries biologists hike their gear into the Winds to survey many of those lakes. G&F Lander Region Fisheries Biologist Paul Gerrity has been sampling these lakes for years and visits with us about the work he does there, what folks can expect for their trip there and how good the fishing is.

In late July of 2022, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Jackson Region stocked 750 Snake River cutthroat trout into Mystery Lake in the Teton Wilderness. The 5-inch fish were packed into the remote lake on horseback.   The stocking of the fish is another step in restoring the lake to its native Snake River cutthroat trout. The restoration project began in 2016 with the removal of all non-native fish, primarily rainbow trout.

Wyoming Game & Fish Deputy Wildlife Division Chief Doug Brimeyer talks with us about 2022 hunt seasons approved by the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission in April.

     An interesting study is underway in Northeast Wyoming to give biologists important data on fish behavior, movement patterns, and habitat uses...

Why are carcass transport and disposal some of the most important topics in managing CWD in Wyoming?  Join us for this podcast and find out.