According to Gary Boyd, the Game and Fish Department's Lusk game warden, several factors led to this difficult management situation, which calls for the harvest of approximately 165 doe/fawn deer in northern Niobrara County, along the Cheyenne River. "For the last four to five years deer populations have steadily increased in the Cheyenne River drainage," Boyd said. Attempts to move deer during the summer with vehicles and noise-making explosives were unsuccessful. Although the regular 2001 deer season was lengthened and the number of doe/fawn licenses increased, more harvest is needed.

The G&F will sell close to 200 licenses first-come, first-served beginning at 8 a.m. on January 4 at the G&F's Casper and Cheyenne offices, and the Game Warden Stations in Lusk (413 Linn Street) and Newcastle (106 5th Avenue). The resident doe/fawn license costs $20 and resident youth $14. Nonresident license is $50; nonresident youth $30. Hunters are eligible to purchase one license, even after holding regular season deer licenses. All big game hunting regulations and laws apply during the depredation season. With the license, each hunter will receive maps and telephone numbers of the four ranches cooperating in the special season. Landowners request hunters contact them directly to obtain permission, so hunters can be directed to areas where deer need to be harvested without interfering with ranching operations.

Although depredation hunts are infrequently held, hunters are reminded they can apply for the potential seasons each year from July 15 through October 31. Applications should be sent to the office in each G&F region where they want to hunt.

Only 11 deer depredation hunt applications were received at the Casper G&F office this year. The actual number of licenses that will be available to the public will depend upon the number of individuals on the 2001 depredation list that are still interested in hunting.