Fish heads are processed to recover and decode wire tags to reveal information about fish population dynamics in the North Platte River system. Fish are necropsied and tissues collected for testing. Light microscopy, serological, enzyme, protein and DNA-PCR tests are conducted on wildlife animal tissues for forensic purposes. Histological procedures are used to prepare thin sections of animal teeth roots. Cementum annuli growth rings are counted on these sections to determine the age of animals.
Light microscopy is used to decode data notches on extracted fish wire tags into a binary number.
Samples are submitted from Game and Fish Department fish and wildlife biologists and enforcement personnel. An occasional request is received from a hunter or fisherman to examine and test specimens. There is no cost for testing. Prior notification of the lab is highly recommended to maintain integrity of the samples. Other samples are collected and submitted by Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists and law enforcement personnel.