Judge orders dog killed

CODY - A municipal judge in Cody has ordered a dog owner to euthanize his pet after it chased two horses in their corral.

One of the horses ran into a fence post and died.

Besides ordering the dog be put to sleep, Municipal Judge Ed Webster fined owner Raymond Goodman $860 and ordered him to pay $2,100 in restitution.

Witnesses say the pitbull-bulldog mix chased the horses relentlessly while Goodman, 20, stood by.

Goodman said he will appeal the ruling. He said the dog, named Doobie, isn't vicious and loves people. He said Doobie chased the horses after getting out of its cage near the corral.

Study: Impact on pronghorn limited

CHEYENNE - A study shows that antelope in the Upper Green River Basin are avoiding natural gas development but don't show signs of suffering more than herds in other areas.

The Wildlife Conservation Society on Tuesday released the results of the third year of its ongoing five-year study. The study is funded by Ultra Resources, Shell Exploration and Production, and Questar Market Resources.

The Upper Green River Basin is home to the Pinedale Anticline and Jonah Field, two of the nation's most productive natural gas sources.

The study's preliminary findings say pronghorn in the basin have the same survival rates and stress levels as pronghorn in undeveloped areas. GPS data show some of the animals are avoiding areas of highest energy development.

The Wildlife Conservation Society says the third-year results may not be indicative of the study's final results.

G&F keeps feedgrounds closed

JACKSON - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department hasn't provided feed to elk at three state feedgrounds in western Wyoming this winter.

This is the first winter in 33 years the state hasn't been feeding elk at the Gros Ventre area feedgrounds. The purpose of the feedgrounds is to help elk survive the winter, but wildlife managers say conditions this winter are favorable for elk survival.

They've chosen to keep the Alkali, Patrol Cabin and Fish Creek feedgrounds closed this winter.

Doug Brimeyer, a wildlife biologist with the Game and Fish Department, said the depth and consistency of snow have enabled elk to survive on natural forage.

But winter isn't over yet. Wildlife managers say they could open the feedgrounds if conditions for elk feeding worsen.

Teton plowing begins Sunday

MOOSE - Teton Park Road through Grand Teton National Park will be plowed Sunday for the first time this year.

The plowing will put an end to skiing and snowshoeing on the road this season, although people will continue to be able to ski and showshoe elsewhere in the park.

Grand Teton officials plan to close off the road while the rotary snow removal equipment is in use. Depending on how much snow falls over the next couple weeks, the road is likely to reopen for biking, hiking and other nonmotorized activity in early April.

Grassy Lake Road in the John. D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway is scheduled to close for the season on Sunday evening. That road will be closed to motor vehicles from April 1 to May 31 to limit access while hungry grizzly bears awaken from hibernation.