April 2023 - 9

NEWS
North Jackson Senior Game Warden Jon Stephens, center, was named the 2022 Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year for Wyoming. (Photo by Mark Gocke/WGFD)
Stephens named 2022
Wildlife Officer of the Year
CHEYENNE - North Jackson Senior
Game Warden Jon Stephens was named the
2022 Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the
Year for Wyoming. The award, given annually
in every state and Canadian province
by Shikar-Safari Club International, honors
a wildlife officer whose efforts during
the year display outstanding performance
and achievement.
" Warden Stephens is a top hand and an
exceptional wildlife officer, " said Rick King,
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
chief game warden. " The traditions of the
Wyoming game warden are sustained at the
highest level by his work performance and
dedication to serving his community and
protecting wildlife. "
Stephens is a nearly 20-year veteran of
Game and Fish. His district includes the
Absaroka Mountains from the southern
boundary of Yellowstone National Park along
the Continental Divide south to the high
peaks of Gros Ventre Range. Stephens' district
involves some of the most controversial and
complex wildlife issues in the state, including
grizzly bears, wolves, elk feedgrounds and
highly-prized moose, bison and bighorn sheep
herds. He regularly represents Game and Fish
on high-level management discussions with
Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk
Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest.
His extraordinary ability to make objective
decisions and apply realistic solutions to difficult
management issues has proven to be an
invaluable asset to Game and Fish.
" I feel very grateful just to receive the
nomination, and it's rewarding to be recognized
by some of your peers, " Stephens said.
" One of the appealing components of the
job is all of the respective challenges. That
is related to the country you work in, the
resource we work with and try to protect and
also all the different interest groups that are
out there. Working with all those different
groups and trying to reach a balance with all
of them is definitely challenging, but that's
part of what makes it such a great job. "
The people he serves within his region are
diverse and range from hunters, anglers and
landowners to other wildlife enthusiasts who
visit Teton County. Within his community he
is known as a strong mentor and inspiration
to younger wardens with his strong work
ethic, dedication to wildlife resources and
service to the public.
" Warden Stephens is an excellent role
model and has helped new game wardens
understand everything Wyoming expects
from them, " King said. " Thanks to Jon's
influence and guidance, new game wardens
are exposed to the skills they need to be
successful. "
The Shikar-Safari Club International is an
organization dedicated to preserving wildlife
through sportsmanship and conservation.
Stephens was recognized and presented his
award at the March Game and Fish Commission
meeting.
- WGFD staff
Wyoming Wildlife | 9

April 2023

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