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Show December FOCUS 30, 1981 ,11D Outdoor Wisdom from Hartt Wixom Are the exploration and drilling for energy fuels on a collision course with wildlife? I believe they are in many areas of the Mountain West. Of course, that is not an attempt to make decisions for legislators, government officials who issue permits, environmentally concerned and also economically-minde- d businessmen, or for that matter, the general public. It is simply that after conferring with officials of the U.S. Forest Service, biologists, sportsmen's clubs that in sectors of Utah and Wyoming are going to be forced to change their habits game-fis- h if the national mood for oil and gas continues to say: Get it at any cost. This is not to say more sources of energy fuels should not be tapped within the country, but if things continue as they are in say, southwestern Wyoming, there is little doubt elk wili not continue to be found where they have been in the past. Wapiti have increased from the general area around Jackson Hole to Kemmerer the past decade, but indications are this goiden era will not continue. The reason is, and it could be repeated elsewhere, that no matter what red tape must be followed, elk will not live year around in close proximity to man. They may tolerate being winter-fe- d on refuges, including Utah's Hardware Ranch. But, even then, they won't allow man to walk or talk nearby let a man get off the hay wagon to discuss a stuck wheel to a companion, and you better not get caught in the stampede. Even elk in Yellowstone will tolerate man only if the range is in such poor shape they must desperately seek food in lowlands. Not only is it unhealthy for the elk, but range feed is soon gone, and then massive slaughters must be executed as in the past at Yellowstone. Either way, an elk herd must be severely reduced. If increased people activity doesn't drive them to less desirable habitat, or poaching gets them enroute. biologists have already observed elk shunning the usual open meadows and parks to seek seclusion in the foodless deep timber. But, does exploration put man in such close quarters with elk? Any sportsman can judge for him-hself. First, lines are run across the ridges and canyons. In southwestern Wyoming this is occurring along all the high country from Jackson Hole to Kemn merer, including Commissary Ridge, totally leased even now for energy rig development. Helicopters oil-g- er elk-lade- determine routes. Then, flDtagmfl WINTER SPECIAL GBflQGEE Six Fun Packed Days on the Heber Creeper Dec. 23 Dec 26 thru 30 As your Farmers Agent Ill help get all the protection Diesiel Engine Our Tenants low-co-st Pack- age Policy protects your precious possessions against fire, lightning and explosion, windstorm and hail, vandalism, burglary, water, steam or freezing and many other perils. And that coverage applies to your personal property at home or anywhere in the world. So give me a call today and ftfl wU With OFF coupon this CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 2 RESERVATIONS ALSO BEING TAKEN FOR GALA NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY learn about Farmers fast, fair, friendly service. For 1 4 Years Same Agent, Same Location, No Changes P.O. Box 327 Coalville, Utah 8401 7 336-239- 1 multi-millio- To be fair, rules are established to avoid such activity in elk calving, or hunting seasons in October. But, elk hunters and game biologists know the answer: whatever else, elk will not remain permanently where man does. It's that simple. 7 Attractions Listings must include day, date, time, place, admission and number to call . All events Listed fhust be open to the public 649-120- mm city 654-147- 1 C0MNG EVENTS Dec. 27th- - John McEuen Jimmy Ibbotson !WB formerly Nitty Gritty Dirt Band also David Sylvester ITS BETTER) LEON SIMISTER n. Call local events in to: Coming (EXCEPT THE SERVICE ft Bus: terr-rai- seismo-grapher- you need for the contents of your apartment or condominium. Heated Coaches; Including the Lounge and Dance Car Entertainment Old Fashioned Town See Hundreds of Deer, Ducks and Geese 531-602- h'Hiranroffen charges are set up some five feet above the ground, often exploding for hours. Sound of the charge reverberates so that even the human ear, much defective to an elk's, can hear it miles away. Next, if the right sounds " bounce back, a jots it down. In the meantime, until a claim is filed with the administering land agent, whether forest service, Bureau of Land Management, or other, any number of companies may explore precisely same True, it may not be the exact spot, for a blow hole in the ground will indicate if a charge has already been exploded there. But, a map in the Kemmerer forest service office, which no one is allowed to copy (oil companies might benefit by seeing where other firms are concentrating, or vacating) shows that many explorations duplicate one another. If it seems right to the company, it will pay a fee, and lease the land. As mentioned, the best elk habitat in Wyoming, perhaps the world, is even now all leased. When a rig is constructed there, it will mean up to a dozen acres or n more, with a dollar investment becoming a permanent fixture smack in the middle of forest, or sage (the latter is often winter range for deer, moose and antelope). And, of course, a federal law allows a road to be duly constructed to the site where there may have been none for miles. Thursday Night Ladies Night NO COVER ' s755 wTches served "I NEW YEARS EYE I FJUTT CELL FOE DETAILS !Sun-- . 643-41- 18 ' Mon., Tubs, and Wed.J FUILMEID Thursday, Friday and Sat |