Wyoming Game and Fish and multiple organizations offering symposium on virtual fencing

SHERIDAN (WNE) — A symposium on virtual fencing for livestock, hosted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, multiple county conservation districts and several nonprofit conservation organizations, will be held on Jan. 8, 2026 at the Camplex Central Pavilion Building in Gillette.

Virtual fence is a new and evolving technology that manages livestock movement remotely with electronic collars. The systems use auditory cues and electronic pulses to control livestock movement without a physical fence. 

Virtual fences can reduce time required for building, repairing and maintaining traditional wood or wire fences and allow control of livestock movement remotely via computer or cellphone.

Virtual fencing can also help landowners meet conservation goals such as incorporating rotational grazing, limiting livestock use in sensitive areas such as along streams and supporting increased wildlife movement by animals such as deer, pronghorn and elk.

“While most of the discussion of this event will focus on livestock movement, virtual fence has potentially huge benefits for wildlife movement as well,” Todd Caltrider, terrestrial habitat biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Sheridan Region said. “In areas where it is an option, virtual fence can eliminate the possibility of fences altering or blocking wildlife movement, and prevent animals from becoming entangled in wires.”

Representatives from four virtual fence manufacturers will attend the symposium to discuss their products and how they operate.

Livestock producers who have used virtual fence will share their experiences with the technology and representatives from government land management agencies will outline their agency’s virtual fence policies. 

Nonprofit conservation organizations will also provide information on funding opportunities for producers wanting to get started with virtual fencing.    

The symposium is free, but pre-registration is required by Dec. 15. The symposium will begin at 8 a.m. and end approximately 4 p.m. A free lunch will be provided.

This story was published on Nov. 7, 2025.