editor@westoncountygazette.com March 28, 2019 - Weston County Gazette - Page 5

Outdoors

High Expectations Every off season, when I think ahead about things like turkey hunting and fishing, I set some high expectations of myself. I don't mean to, but it just happens. I try not to because I don't want to be disappointed. Thinking I am going to catch a trophy fish or harvest a trophy turkey is just natural, at least in the wishing category. However, while I can think of those things I am al-ways willing to reel myself in just a little. In reality I think I am more of a pessimist and less the optimist. I don't know if I will come up short of my expectations, but I do harbor that feeling. If history has taught me anything it is that many for my expectations were just too high. It is okay to dream though, as long as you don't let the dream get in the way of reality. I may get ready for a hunt or fishing trip with high expectations, but as I get older those expectations are different than what they used to be when I was younger. I don't often let my mind wander about trophy animals. I would rather think about just having a good time, being with good friends, staying warm and dry, and not breaking or spraining anything when I fall. I like to be able to eat good food too. I have done the survival thing and while it keeps you alive, it just isn't a lot of fun. I expect to have all my gear in good working order. Nothing is worse than a failure of something vital when you are hunting or at a lake full of fine fish. That is why I start planning my trip plenty early. I also expect things to just go well. I hope for good weather, but a good attitude can solve that problem. I guess I just like being out there, wherever out there is. I like being in the woods and I like being on the water. I may be hunting big game, small game, fly fishing a fine stream or using a spinner on a lake. It is all good. Oh yes, there have been times when a trophy or two have been harvested by me, but through no fault of my own. Nobody knows how important luck is when it comes to hunting and fishing more than I do. If being in the right place at the right time is the key, then luck must be the door. So, as the season progresses I will continue to have high expectations. And, I may be disappointed in the size of game I harvest or the trout I catch on a favorite fly, but I doubt it.

Wyoming OutdoorsBy Mark Mitchell

Be vigilant with bear safety

As winter subsides and spring begins, the Wyo-ming Game and Fish De-partment reminds outdoor recreationalists and rural homeowners in northwest Wyoming to be bear aware while enjoying the outdoors Wyoming has to offer. Game and Fish Bear Wise Coordinator Dusty Lasseter said by this time of year, some bears have emerged from their dens. “Typically, male bears emerge from their dens in mid-March and early April, while females and young-of-the-year cubs emerge in late April and early May. With grizzly bears being active in the Greater Yel-lowstone Area and black bears be being active state-wide, now is the time to be bear aware and take the necessary precautions to avoid potential conflicts.” Game and Fish strives to manage conflict resolu-tion between people and large carnivores, as well as quantifying and evaluating how situations occur. “In most conflict situa-tions, bears do not interact with people. Rather they go after food attractants like

unsecured human foods, livestock or pet foods, gar-bage or birdseed,” Lasseter said. If you live in black or grizzly bear country, Las-seter recommends keeping food attractants proper-ly stored and unavailable to bears. Barbecue grills should be kept clean and stored in a garage or shed when possible. “The majority of the people in rural areas of northwest Wyoming do an excellent job of securing at-tractants away from bears, but it’s important to remain vigilant to minimize the po-tential for conflict,” Lasse-ter said. Those who recreate in bear country also need to be aware of the potential for encounters with bears. When recreating in bear habitat, be cautious and alert. Hike in a group and make noise as you travel so bears can hear you. Learn to recognize areas of heavy bear use by knowing how to identify tracks, scats and diggings, and if you smell a carcass, avoid it. Flocks of magpies or ravens often indicate a nearby potential food source for bears. Re-member, when bears scav-

enge large animals they often cover what they can’t eat with brush or dirt and may stay nearby for several days to defend it from other bears. Commercially avail-able bear spray is effective for stopping aggressive bears. Use bear spray only as a deterrent and as a last resort to avoiding a physi-cal encounter. Carry bear spray in a readily accessible manner and make sure the spray is EPA approved. “Those recreating and living in grizzly bear coun-try have done an exception-al job increasing awareness and taking the necessary

precautions to provide for the long-term viability of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” Lasseter said. “Without the proactive measures and awareness already in place, we would not be where we are at today with griz-zly bear management and conservation in Wyoming, and for that the people who live, work and recreate in grizzly bear country should be commended for their ef-forts.” For more information on how to stay safe in bear country visit the Bear Wise Wyoming website.

Bears beginning to wake this spring

Enzi, Barrasso Statements on Federal Judge Halting New Oil and Gas Drilling in Wyoming

Books For BrainsScholarship Deadline

The Upton Chamber of Commerce is offering two $500

scholarships to be used to purchase college textbooks.

One will be offered to a graduating senior and one to a

UHS alumni attending college.Applications are available at the UHS office or

www.weston7.orgResources → Scholarships.

Completed applications can be mailed to:Upton Chamber of Commerce,

P.O. Box 756, Upton, WY 82730The deadline is May 1, 2019 and will be strictly enforced.

LEGAL NOTICEBOARD WORK SESSION

WESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #7 BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wednesday April 3, 2019—11:00 a.mBoard/Conference Room—Nelson Building

AGENDA1. Call Meeting to Order A. Pledge of Allegiance2. Discussion & Information A. Funding Model Overview3. Executive Session to receive information considered confidential by law and to discuss personnel matters such as salary and benefits.4. Discussion & Information A. Strategic Planning and Goal Setting5. AdjournmentPublish: March 28, 2019.

GRAND RE-OPENING!

HARLEY’S BAR & GRILL702 Second Street - Upton • 307-468-2729

MONDAYAPRIL 1ST

10:00 a.m. to10:00 p.m.

GET THE WORLD’S GREATEST PIZZA!

BREAKFAST

ALL DAY!

THANK YOUTo all who helped make

the annual Upton Chamber of Commerce’s

Festival of Tables a successful

event.

On March 19, a district court judge in Washington, D.C. blocked new oil and gas drilling across nearly 500 square miles in Wyo-ming. U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both released the following statements: “This short-sighted decision by a judge in Washington, D.C. will not only damage Wyoming’s workforce and economy, it also sets a dangerous prec-edent for the future,” Enzi said. “Leasing public lands is vital for our continued ef-forts to keep energy prices low and create energy in-dependence for the nation. Instead of trying to manip-ulate our judicial system to stop energy development, we should be focused on innovative technological solutions to help ensure our energy development is affordable, reliable and cleaner.” “This bad decision will hurt workers in Wyoming, reduce revenue for the state and slow America’s energy production,” said Barrasso. “Wyoming is a leader of

protecting our environment and responsibly developing our natural resources.”

Kindergarten Screening RegistrationFor the 2019-2020 school year

Thursday, April 18, 2019Upton Elementary Auditorium

(Children must be 5 before September 15, 2018)Parents are asked to bring the child’s immunization record,

birth certificate, and social security number. Weston County School District #7 stresses the importance of

screening children to identify potential problems that could affect their educational experience.

Call Corina at 468-9331 to make an appointment8:00-11:00 a.m. or 12:00-3:00 p.m.