August 2022 - 35

Kim Olsen, Baggs game warden for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, discusses a tag with hunters. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)
thought about it, committed a violation in
the past or been around violations previously.
Generally when we catch them it has not
been their first rodeo. There have also been
numerous cases where alcohol consumption
played a role in poor decision making.
George Carson (F): If we refer to poachers
as the term that is commonly understood, we
would have to say most poaching is intentional
and therefore planned, albeit somewhat loosely
planned in most cases.
When a person witnesses a violation
what should they do?
Dustin Shorma (C): Safely gather as much
information as you can - location, what kind
of violation, suspect information, suspect
vehicle information, etc. - and contact the
Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFDTIP.
Everyone carries a cell phone. Snap a
photograph of the person, vehicle, or better
yet, license plate. Use mapping software such
as OnX to mark a waypoint of a carcass or
location. Heck, folks can even submit tips via
text message by texting keyword WGFD and
message to 847-411.
The sooner you contact us the faster we
can start working to successfully prosecute
the case.
George Carson (F): Get the facts like
where the violation occurred, when it
occurred, who was involved and what they
did. Vehicle description, license plate number,
physical description, color of clothing -
anything along those lines. Report this
information as soon as possible to the nearest
warden or any enforcement agency.
Have you noticed any changes in the
behavior of hunters during the time you
have been a warden?
Dustin Shorma (C): Our society has
changed to expect immediate gratification
in all aspects of everyday life such as fast
food, fast internet, cell phones, social
media, Google, on-demand movies, etc.
I have started to see this same expectation
when folks are hunting or fishing.
I also see a lot of people depending more
on technology while in the field. When I
was a kid I never heard of anyone trying
to shoot at something 1,000 yards away,
wearing clothes that trap human scent,
By the numbers
The three wardens interviewed for
this Q&A have a combined 60 years of
service with the Wyoming Game and Fish
Department. Dustin Shorma leads the way
with 22 years, followed by Adam Hymas with
21 and Kim Olson with 17. Olson also spent
nine years as a warden in Utah.
Those three are part of 92 commissioned
law enforcement officers employed by
Game and Fish. Sixty-four of those are field
game wardens, which consists of senior
game wardens, game wardens and access
coordinators.
According to the April 1973 story where
this Q&A was derived from, there were 60
commissioned law enforcement officers.
- Robert Gagliardi, WGFD
Wyoming Wildlife | 35

August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2022

August 2022 - 1
August 2022 - 2
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