JACKSON - An energy company has agreed to stop seismic testing on a Wyoming national forest just before hunting season begins, after negotiating with a hunters' group.

ExxonMobil agreed to stop geophysical seismic activity two weeks before hunting season begins and throughout the season in Hunt Area 143 west of LaBarge on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Forest Service officials last year agreed to allow seismic activity during hunting season, but that decision was appealed by the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and Wyoming Outdoor Council.

The seismic activity - which includes use of ATVs, helicopters, cables and explosives to determine the presence of oil and gas - was halted last year after the appeal was filed. A court was supposed to take up the case this winter, but the groups reached an agreement out of court.

"We're pretty happy about it, because we won," said Dave Gowdey, executive director of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. "It was a major victory. We got back what we had fought for and saved hunting season for about 1,200 hunters."

The Forest Service had allowed the seismic operations under a "categorical exclusion" ruling, meaning no opportunity for public comment because the agency did not think the activity had much impact.

The agreement between hunting and energy groups may be a growing phenomenon when it comes to managing public lands. Another seismic exploration project slated for a hunting area on the Bridger-Teton was pulled after the appeal was filed on the LaBarge area last year, Gowdey said.

Other hunting areas on Bureau of Land Management lands may also be the subject of negotiations. Gowdey said it is more difficult to challenge BLM decisions because of policies within that agency.

Steven Hall, spokesman for the BLM's Cheyenne office, said the agency consults with hunting groups and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department when making decisions for lands in hunting areas. He also said timing issues - where certain areas are inaccessible during winter - may put pressure on the BLM to allow activity during certain times of the year that may coincide with hunting season.

But, he said, big game hunting areas tend to lie more on Forest Service lands than on BLM lands.

The area affected by the new agreement includes Deadline Ridge and the LaBarge Creek tributaries of Bald Hornet Creek downstream to Rock Creek. North of Deadline Ridge, it will include the headwaters of Dry Piney, Black Canyon, Fogarty and Beaver creeks.

The mule deer hunt runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 8, and elk season opens Oct. 15 in this area.

Environmental reporter Whitney Royster can be reached at (307) 734-0260 or at royster@tribcsp.com.