Press Release: Wildlife Concerns Surround Wyoming State Shooting Complex Development
CODY, WY—Concerns have emerged regarding potential wildlife impacts at the proposed site for the Wyoming State Shooting Complex, a new statewide destination for gun enthusiasts. The chosen location, nestled in the Absaroka Range foothills just south of Cody, received an 8-4 vote from a task force of lawmakers and appointed citizens last summer, drawn in part by its scenic vistas and expansive wildlife habitat.
However, just days prior to the vote, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department raised alarms about the project’s implications on local wildlife, particularly mule deer, which heavily frequent the area. The department’s memo, citing concerns over "disturbance or displacement" of key species, urged the task force to consider alternative sites outside crucial wildlife habitats. Notably, the proposed complex overlaps significantly with areas critical for mule deer and the sage grouse, both of which are struggling populations in the region.
Despite these warnings, the task force moved forward with the state-funded complex, which is expected to draw visitors to the 2,036-acre site. Local stakeholders, including former county officials and residents, have expressed dissent, fearing that the shooting range will disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife patterns.
As planning continues, it remains unclear how Wyoming Game and Fish’s recommendations will be integrated into the project’s development, raising concerns over the balance between recreational opportunities and wildlife preservation in this pristine area.
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