Wyoming Game and Fish cuts budget by $4.6M

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is cutting its budget by about 6.5% in ways officials say will affect hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. The Game and Fish Commission approved the $4.6 million cut for the current fiscal year on Tuesday during a meeting in Saratoga. The cuts will mean fewer fish will be stocked in some reservoirs, delayed upgrades to fish hatcheries designed to help boost the survival rate of native cutthroat trout and not maintaining or making improvements to bird farms and boating access. The cuts come after the Legislature rejected a bill to raise hunting and fishing license fees to bring in more revenue. Backers said the $7 to $8 million a year was needed because of inflation and new wildlife initiatives.