Aerial spraying south of Casper

[Widrig]

Wondering if anyone has noticed the chopper or been impacted by the spraying in unit 32? From the WY Game and Fish:

"Dear hunter,​

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This September, you may notice a helicopter applying herbicide in sagebrush communities in the Bates Hole/Shirley Basin area, south of Casper. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will be aerially treating cheatgrass infestations in these otherwise intact sagebrush habitats.​

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Cheatgrass is a noxious, invasive weed that significantly degrades wildlife habitat, especially in sagebrush ecosystems. These treatments are part of a broader effort to preserve and enhance critical habitat for sage-grouse, mule deer, pronghorn, and other sagebrush-dependent species.​

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We understand that big game archery seasons are underway and that rifle seasons for antelope open on September 25. We apologize for any inconvenience the herbicide applications may cause during your hunt. However, treatments must occur at this time to meet Bureau of Land Management timing stipulations for sensitive wildlife species. All aerial spraying will be completed by the end of September.​

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Additionally, please be aware that riparian and mesic habitat improvement work is scheduled in the southern portion of the Muddy Mountain Hunter Management Area throughout the fall but will be confined to limited drainages within the area.​

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Thank you for your understanding and support of Wyoming’s wildlife conservation efforts. The Bates Hole/Shirley Basin region represents one of the state’s most pristine and valuable sagebrush ecosystems. These proactive treatments will help ensure its continued health and productivity for years to come.​

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For questions, please contact the Casper Regional Office at (307) 473-3400.​

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Good luck this fall, and safe hunting!"​

 

[wytex]

Good !! Cheatgrass is taking over in some areas.
Would kind of suck though, had the AF scare some elk one year doing a training flight over private land.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Thats awesome.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Cheatgrass and spotted knapweed are a noxious weed scourge in Montana as well. My personal war against knapweed intensified this summer as I sprayed over two miles of an old logging trail in the mountains that was infested with knapweed. Some meadows and trail areas were carpeted thick with the stuff. It took six days and in excess of 180 gallons of Milestone herbicide mixture to kill most of the plants. It will require returning each year to keep it down.

Like cheatgrass, knapweed is detrimental to the habitat and starves out other beneficial plants to the point of open dirt which results in significant erosion and watershed degredation.
It's helpful to at least inform responsible public land agencies of noxious weed infestation, even if they are strapped by weed control deficiencies of lack of funds and personnel to mitigate noxious weed problems.

 

[jimss]

That’s great to hear they are spraying cheatgrass! The antelope, deer, and other wildlife will benefit from it in the long run although it may temporarily spook them.