Local nonprofit donates immobilization gun

Press Release – The Wyoming Sportsman’s Group recently gifted a new immobilization gun to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to replace an aging gun that has become outdated.

Immobilization equipment is used in limited instances to treat certain injuries, relocate an animal to a new area or in other situations when wildlife must be immobilized for safe handling. The new immobilization gun will be for use by wardens and biologists in the Gillette area.

“Technology with this type of equipment has evolved and our prior version was becoming less consistent when firing,” said Gillette Wildlife Biologist Erika Peckham. “This donation gives us a new tool to respond quickly and reliably in high-stress situations involving the immobilization of animals, often in urban areas.”

The Wyoming Sportsman’s Group, a nonprofit based in Gillette, supports a variety of wildlife conservation projects and events in northeast Wyoming through their annual spring fundraising banquet. The group’s treasurer, Rob Severance, estimates they have provided close to $20,000 to support Game and Fish projects in the area in recent years. They also sponsor a variety of shooting sports events, habitat improvements, college scholarships, family fishing days and other conservation and recreation programs.

The group’s first project was the construction of a mobile bear trap for the Game and Fish and more recently, they have initiated a program to give hunting backpacks and supplies to local kids and adults graduating from hunter education courses with high scores.

“This money stays in the northeast part of Wyoming,” said Severance. “When anybody has a project they need money for, they come to our meeting, fill out a form and as a group we discuss it. If it helps wildlife or helps kids get into hunting and fishing, then we’ll approve it.”

“We have worked cooperatively with the Wyoming Sportsman’s Group for several years and we value the working relationship we have with them,” said North Gillette Game Warden Kristen DaVanon. “Their members are dedicated to supporting wildlife and conservation and their financial donations and volunteer efforts have really made an impact in Gillette and surrounding communities.”

-WGFD-