July 2024 - 2

FROM THE
DIRECTOR
Connecting with Wyoming's
wildlife enthusiasts
By Brian Nesvik
I
n May, Governor Mark Gordon
hosted the inaugural Wyoming
Sportsperson's Conservation
Forum at the National Museum of
Military Vehicles in Dubois. The
forum's primary goal was to foster a
sense of community among diverse
stakeholders including sportsmen,
landowners and conservationists, and
encourage more involvement in the
challenges facing our state's wildlife.
The atmosphere was overwhelmingly
positive. While contentious
issues
like local zoning and fair chase
were
discussed,
the conversations
remained constructive and respectful.
Fair chase, a principle central to ethical
hunting, refers to the practices that give the
hunted animal a fair opportunity to escape.
This concept was explored thoroughly by
a panel of three, highlighting the varying
perspectives among individuals and the
importance of maintaining ethical standards
in hunting. Panelists described personal
experiences, events in the field that shaped
their perspectives on hunting and observations
from across the state and country
on important ethical issues. The panelists
were impressive and set the stage for rich
discussion throughout the forum.
Wyoming, like much of the West, is facing
an unprecedented challenge - declining
mule deer numbers. Many of us remember
times in our younger years when we
couldn't imagine a day when mule deer
2 | July 2024
Governor Mark Gordon addresses attendees at the inaugural Wyoming Sportsperson's Conservation Forum at the National Museum of
Military Vehicles in Dubois. (Photo by Bill Masure)
weren't abundant across the state. Today, as
many of us know firsthand, populations have
declined in many parts of Wyoming. This
problem is complicated and contains many
factors. However, the forum's discussions
and proposed initiatives to help mitigate
these threats, such as large-scale habitat projects,
wildlife crossings and new management
techniques to combat chronic wasting disease,
reflected our state's tremendous value
for mule deer. New science presented at the
forum will continue to help inform actions
by wildlife and land managers.
While the event covered a wide range of
important topics, the limitation of time
meant some issues were left unexplored.
However, there is a strong consensus this
forum will become an annual event and provide
a platform for ongoing conversation on
these topics and others.
The forum illuminated the multifaceted
nature of wildlife management in Wyoming
and the importance of inclusive, science-driven
dialogue. I am confident future
events will focus on new ways to engage more
people in these critical discussions.
The discussions at the forum left me pondering
our next actions and how we can
get more done. The enthusiasm and commitment
of all participants give me great
hope for the future of our state's wildlife
conservation. The Wyoming Game and Fish
Department has a responsibility to address
the challenges facing our wildlife. Likewise,
the citizens of our state who care about wildlife
have a responsibility to stay involved
and do their part to weigh in on wildlife
management policy.

July 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2024