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Dear editor:
I read with much interest the article about Tony Mong and his “quitting his job with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department because he became disenchanted with them over their …
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Dear editor:
I read with much interest the article about Tony Mong and his “quitting his job with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department because he became disenchanted with them over their support for the proposed shooting complex south of Cody!?” I’m afraid that I’d have to call “BULL” on this move! First of all, his mention of this area (shooting complex site) as “critical mule deer habitat!” As a professional outfitter and guide from this area for over 46 years and a big game hunter for 70, I believe that this biologist is “full of it” from his statement that this is such prime mule deer habitat!! I’ve almost NEVER seen a single mule deer in this area — antelope occasionally, but nearly ZERO muley’s in almost 60 years of game hunting, rock hunting, fencing and exploring here! A few miles WEST of this site “HorseCenter” has been known for some mule deer hunting and habitat, but only because of it’s proximity to the Lower South Fork, and near the irrigated fields they feed in, and ONLY in the late fall! There are HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES of habitat very near there that is untouched! There’s also VERY LITTLE IF ANY WATER, near this site! The mule deer numbers downfall cannot be attributed to a “shooting complex” going in along the Meeteetse Highway! Their numbers have been dwindling for SO many years! Part of that was the fault of the G&F and their sales of unlimited licenses for so long, and the many diseases that are hurting our mule deer numbers!
Tony Mong “hardly got a taste of this region’s wildlife and their numbers” after only NINE YEARS in the Cody Country! Shucks! I’m nearing 80 years old, and I’m “still learning” about the habitat and habits of our game herds! It’s never-ending! WHY didn’t Mong, in his capacity as a G&F biologist, “collar and follow” mule deer around here to figure this out?
My own take on Mr. Mong is he probably had an offer of a much better job with this “Legacy Works” before he ever decided to leave the G&F! To put this “on the back” of the community and state and blaming them for his leaving is ludicrous!
Don Schmalz
Cody
