January 2023 - 2

FROM THE
DIRECTOR
Year in review
By Brian Nesvik
A
new year is the customary time to reflect on where
we have been, analyze where we are and look ahead
for new opportunities. People make new goals, resolutions
and look at the new year as a fresh start ripe
with new ways to make a difference. It's no different at the Wyoming
Game and Fish Department.
As I look back at 2022, there are a number of great achievements
to celebrate as we look ahead at what more can be done for our state's
wildlife and citizens. I feel very fortunate to lead a team that is passionate
about our mission and has the talent and dedication to get
big things done. The majority of our projects were the result of hard
work, support and funding from a variety of committed partners.
We live in a state that truly values our fish and wildlife resources.
A few notable accomplishments over the last year include:
Access
* Raymond Mountain easement: A collaborative effort between
multiple partners to provide access to more than 32,900 acres of
previously difficult-to-reach public land in the Sublette Mountain
Range.
* Bear River Divide: Game and Fish negotiated a long-term agreement
with three of the privately held grazing associations within
the hunter management area that will secure 92,000 deeded acres
and a total of nearly 200,000 acres, including BLM and states
lands, for public use over a 30-year term.
* Ellis Ranch acquisition: The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission
approved the acquisition of the Ellis Sheep Company Ranch,
located in Washakie and Johnson counties, for a wildlife habitat
management area. The property includes 2,640 deeded acres and
1,264 acres of BLM lease.
Habitat
* Treated more than 100,000 acres to prevent invasive annual grasses.
* Almost 500 fish and wildlife habitat reviews with recommendations
to minimize impacts provided on federal land management projects,
new developments and state land leases throughout the state.
Wildlife crossing
* Dry Piney project: Ground breaking for this project happened
in May. It includes nine underpasses and more than 16 miles of
fencing to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.
Inspire a Kid
* Certified more than 4,032 individuals in hunter education in 2022.
The majority of these participants have been youth.
* Conducted 362 outreach and education programs.
* Had the highest number of kids and families go through Game
and Fish conservation camps in the summer.
Fish
* Stocking: More than 6 million fish across Wyoming for anglers
to enjoy.
2 | January 2023
* Boat inspections: Personnel inspected more than 65,000 boats
for aquatic invasive species, more than 4,000 of which were highrisk
boats. Through these inspections, AIS inspectors found 58
boats with invasive mussels and prevented them from infecting
Wyoming's waters.
* Saratoga Lake restoration: Game and Fish successfully completed
a rotenone project at Saratoga Lake to remove illegally-stocked
yellow perch to prevent them from spreading into the North
Platte River drainage. The lake will be restocked with rainbow
trout, brown trout and tiger trout this spring.
Cody Regional Office
* Game and Fish built a new office building for the Cody Region
that will better support work in this region and give the
community a space they can be proud of for decades to come.
Notably, this project was funded 100 percent by the Commission,
which meant Game and Fish did not have to secure funding
elsewhere or through the state's general fund.
Mule Deer Project
* In collaboration with the University of Wyoming, Game and
Fish launched an unprecedented, statewide effort to better
monitor and manage mule deer. The department plans to
conduct abundance surveys across Wyoming and collar
more than 1,000 mule deer to evaluate herd survival and
population performance.
Funding
* More than $90 million was spent on programs, priorities and
projects to benefit fish and wildlife in Wyoming.
* A new partnership was formed with U.S. Department of
Agriculture to conserve big game habitat, resulting in $5 million
in extra funding provided for voluntary private landowner
conservation practices.
There are countless other projects, efforts and ongoing programs I
haven't mentioned that create large and small impacts for Wyoming.
Conservation is truly a team effort.
Moving forward, we are looking hard at where to prioritize our
resources to meet the most important needs of our fish and wildlife.
We all can be proud of 2022 and look forward to what more can be
done in 2023. We know we have new threats and challenges, but
also new opportunities. You all can expect that Game and Fish will
continue our work to protect our state from invasive species, improve
habitat, invest in our kids, provide more access and stock sportfish.
With continued support we can continue to do great things.
Happy New Year!
Turn to page 5 to see photos of some of the Wyoming Game and Fish
Department's 2022 projects.
January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2023
