April 2022 - 15

could have been a series of books.
Blair said many see or interpret the success
of a wildlife management program is not how
much has been accomplished for the benefit
of a species, but rather how many animals
were taken. Blair cites numerous harvest
reports throughout the book. However, Blair
also said blame for declining wildlife numbers
seldom got to the root of the issue, which was
the users of the land.
Wyoming is the least populated state in the
U.S., but concerns of growth - be it people
or other types of development - remain a
concern for today's wildlife managers. It also
was a concern more than 50 years ago.
" Sprawling urban development, interstate
highways, major water impoundments,
industrial and agricultural expansion and
continued pollution of the lands and waters
is removing wildlife habitat at an everincreasing
rate, " said S.J. Jiacoletti, Wyoming
Game and Fish Commission President from
1961-63, who Blair quoted in the book.
" The problem of maintaining hunting and
fishing opportunities for an expanding human
population in view of the above named
deterrents is ever-present. Only through
long-range planning, sound budgeting and
professional management is the challenge
being satisfactorily met. "
The book also delved into the history of
fisheries management in Wyoming, including
stocking splake to improve fishing in certain
waters, replacing fall-spawning rainbows with
spring-spawning to develop natural spawning
runs of the species and lake trout and brown
trout stocked to help waters overcrowded
with grayling, brook trout and perch.
The end of the book lists Wyoming Game
and Fish Commission members dating to
1921-22; along with state game wardens and
fish wardens dating to 1883.
Rick King, Game and Fish chief of
wildlife, said the book remains a valuable
resource within Game and Fish.
" We deal with complex and controversial
wildlife management issues today just as
previous generations of department employees
tackled challenges of their own, " King said.
" This book provides invaluable insight into
the past circumstances and decisions that
have shaped our state's current approach
to wildlife management. This book is a
powerful reminder, for me, of the sacrifices
and dedication of past red shirts who did the
best they could with what resources they had.
The dedication and sacrifices of past Wyoming Game and Fish employees, like the man to the right in this picture, shaped
wildlife management in the state. (Photo from " History of Wildlife Management in Wyoming " )
" This book provides invaluable insight into the past
circumstances and decisions
state's current approach to
It has helped me gain an understanding of
why we have done things a certain way and
has given me the confidence to know that
change is inevitable and completely necessary.
" The history of wildlife conservation in
Wyoming is one of continual adaptation
- our predecessors had to adapt to change
just as we do today. Knowing something
- Rick King, Game and Fish chief of wildlife
of the past helps shape our approach to
the future. I am grateful for the foresight
and determination of Blair to compile this
work. Surely he was a student of history who
compiled the work of his predecessors for the
benefit of his successors. "
- Robert Gagliardi is the associate editor of Wyoming
Wildlife.
Wyoming Wildlife | 15
that have shaped our
wildlife management. "

April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2022