The Wyoming Game and Fish Department would like residents and visitors to know that paddleboards, kayaks and canoes are classified as watercraft under Wyoming law. As such, users are required to have a wearable life jacket available aboard the watercraft.
“Paddleboards are a fun way to enjoy Wyoming’s waters and catch a few sunrays, but don’t forget to bring along a life jacket,” Buffalo Game Warden Jim Seeman said. “Paddleboards, under Wyoming boating regulations, are considered a watercraft and users are required to have a life jacket when on the paddleboard.”
Children 12 years old or younger must wear a lifejacket or be in an enclosed cabin of a watercraft any time the watercraft is underway. If people plan to recreate on Wyoming waters this summer, the Game and Fish ask that people please be familiar with fishing and boating regulations.
The Wyoming Game and Fish report that an elk poaching case from fall 2019 was recently completed when 4th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Shelley Cundiff approved plea agreements reached between the Johnson County Attorney’s Office and two Buffalo residents.
As part of the agreements, Christopher Morales will pay a $5,000 fine, $2,000 in restitution and lose three years of hunting privileges for illegally killing a bull elk. Keisha Filbert agreed to pay a $400 fine and accepted loss of hunting privileges for two years for a transfer of license violation.
The case began when the Game and Fish Department’s Stop Poaching hotline received an anonymous report in September 2019, stating that Morales used Filbert’s license to illegally kill a large bull elk. An online investigation by game wardens discovered photos of Morales and Filbert each posing with harvested elk. Morales claimed to have killed his bull elk on Sept. 6, with a crossbow and Filbert allegedly killed hers on Sept. 1