Bridging the Divide: Fostering Respect Between Hunters and Landowners
Archery Elk Season Interrupted: Hunters' Account of Aerial Herding
During the peak of archery elk season on September 18th, a group of hunters, positioned on public land surrounded by private ranches, found their pursuit of elk dramatically curtailed. As the sun ascended, the tranquil morning was disrupted by the increasing hum of an overhead aircraft. The hunters reported witnessing a small, blue-and-white single-prop plane, accompanied by all-terrain vehicles, actively driving the elk away from the state land and onto adjacent private property. This alleged herding maneuver, reminiscent of cattle wrangling, effectively sabotaged their hunt, leaving the hunters frustrated and suspicious of the ranchers' motives.
Confrontation and Accusations: The Aftermath of a Ruined Hunt
Following the abrupt end to their hunting expedition, the upset hunters documented the incident with photos and videos as they began their return. Their departure, however, was not without further incident. They recounted being pursued and confronted by ranch hands on ATVs, who challenged their actions and accused them of poaching or trespassing. The hunters, who possessed valid archery elk tags and were on public land, felt threatened by the ranchers, including one identified as Jon Nicolayson, a co-owner of Cole Creek Sheep Company. They reported being told that while the ranchers regretted interfering with a deer or antelope hunt, their priority was moving cattle, and the elk were simply in the way. This tense encounter prompted the hunters to report the matter to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD).
Ranchers' Perspective: Routine Cattle Operations and Unintended Consequences
Jon Nicolayson presented a starkly different interpretation of the events. He described the interaction with the hunters as amicable, asserting that he was merely checking on their location and apologizing for disturbing their hunt due to ongoing cattle relocation. Nicolayson clarified that his ranch has employed a private pilot for approximately a decade to assist in gathering cattle across both private and leased public grazing lands, particularly in areas with challenging terrain. He explained that the plane helps in spotting scattered livestock, whose locations are then relayed to ATV-mounted ranch hands. He emphasized that the ranch's operations are not designed to harass wildlife or hunters, but acknowledged that the overlap of elk and cattle in the same vicinity, coupled with their necessary ranching activities, might inadvertently disrupt hunts. He also highlighted his right as a landowner to monitor activity on split-ownership land adjacent to his property.
Escalation and Investigation: Political Involvement and Law Enforcement's Response
The incident escalated beyond the immediate confrontation when a ranch hand recognized one of the hunters as a prominent community member. Subsequently, Peter Nicolayson, Jon's brother and a local county commissioner, contacted the hunter via text message, inquiring about the hunting party's identities and questioning their report to the WGFD. While Peter declined to comment further, the text exchange left the hunter feeling targeted. Ultimately, Wyoming game wardens and a BLM law enforcement officer visited the ranch. Although WGFD remained silent, Jon Nicolayson stated that no citations were issued, and sources suggested the ranch received a minor reprimand to cease such activities.
Persistent Issues and the Call for Ethical Conduct in the Outdoors
Despite the lack of formal charges, the incident left a lasting impression on Mark, the primary hunter in the account. He described the event as part of a recurring pattern, noting that planes were present in the area during nearly all of his 20-25 hunting days that fall, often in close proximity to elk. Mark expressed his belief that threatening hunters on public land and harassing wildlife are unacceptable practices. He rejected the notion of intimidation tactics and called for accountability. Jon Nicolayson, in turn, suggested that better communication from hunters prior to their trips could help mitigate such conflicts. The article concludes by emphasizing the underlying tension between public-land hunters and private landowners in Wyoming, underscoring the need for mutual respect and ethical behavior from all parties involved in navigating the complex landscape of shared natural resources.