October 2024 - 11

In recent years, the Johnsons have undertaken
significant efforts to make their ranch
more wildlife-friendly. They've replaced nearly
all fences with wildlife-friendly designs that
minimize barriers to movement, especially
along the U.S. Forest Service boundary. Their
commitment to coexistence is evident in their
approach to the thriving beaver population
on their property, where they've willingly
embraced strategies to manage and accommodate
beavers.
The Mullen Fire of 2020 left its mark on the
Terry Creek Ranch, prompting the Johnsons
to focus on restoration efforts. They've spearheaded
these efforts by conducting grass and
forb seedings, managing timber to prevent
soil erosion, and actively controlling post-fire
cheatgrass infestations to restore the landscape's
health.
Their collaborative spirit extends beyond
their property lines. They've facilitated
access for Game and Fish employees to
conduct habitat assessments, retrieve wildlife
collars and provide vital management
recommendations. They actively promote
conservation among their neighbors, advocate
for leaving gates open and upgrading
fencing to wildlife-friendly fencing standards
to facilitate migrations. Together, they
recently facilitated a meeting between Game
and Fish personnel and neighboring ranch
managers to discuss habitat enhancements
and conservation easements.
Their decision to place Terry Creek Ranch
into a conservation easement ensures its
continuity as a crucial wildlife corridor and
safeguards the landscape from becoming a
subdivision.
Fred and Patricia Hansen
Hansen Ranch
Fred and Patricia Hansen have a woven legacy
of stewardship and conservation that spans
generations. The Hansen Ranch is located in
the heart of Albany County along the Laramie
River. The ranch contains a diverse ecosystem
from dense aspen groves, juniper stands and
vibrant riparian corridors adorned with willows.
The property teems with life.
The Laramie River, Potter Creek and lush
irrigated meadows provide essential habitat for
a wide array of wildlife from big game species
to black bears, blue grouse and songbirds.
Notably, the river hosts a thriving wild brown
trout fishery.
Over the years, the Hansens have implemented
strategic habitat enhancements to
Bobbie Bush, owner of the Bush Ranch in northwest Crook County, and her son, Jim, work closely with the Wyoming Game and
Fish Department in sage-grouse conservation. (Photo courtesy of the Bush family)
harmoniously support livestock and wildlife.
They have fine-tuned grazing practices,
modified irrigation techniques and enhanced
riparian areas along riverbanks.
Their conservation efforts date to 1961
when they began partnering with the Game
and Fish to establish angler access along the
Laramie River. Their collaboration with
Game and Fish has been crucial. The Hansens
have generously granted personnel access
to monitor big game and nongame species
and fisheries.
More than 60 years later, the Hansens
ensured their property would be a beacon
of conservation and public access for future
generations and sold a portion of their ranch
bordering the Jelm Wildlife Habitat Management
Area to the Wyoming Game and Fish
Commission. The acquisition solidified nearly
1,000 acres of essential winter range for the
region's mule deer and other big game species.
Jim Bush and Bobbie (Tiny) Bush
Bush Ranch
Jim and his mom, Tiny, operate their family
ranch in northwest Crook County focusing
primarily on bison alongside some cattle. Their
expansive property boasts diverse wildlife
habitats including large sections of native
shortgrass prairie intermixed with healthy
sagebrush. The Bush Ranch is a haven for
native species like mule deer, pronghorn, sage
grouse and various grassland birds. Intact
sagebrush on their land plays a crucial role for
sage grouse and helps to maintain genetic connectivity
across Wyoming, Montana, South
Dakota and North Dakota.
Since 2010, Jim has collaborated closely
with Game and Fish in sage-grouse conservation
when he first reported a sage-grouse
lek the department did not have in its database
during a critical period of federal bird
listing considerations, and at a time when
many people did not want to volunteer known
locations of sage-grouse. The Bush Ranch
became pivotal in collecting genetic data from
sage-grouse leks.
Beyond data contributions, the Bush Family
has actively enhanced sage-grouse habitat.
They were early participants in the Natural
Resources Conservation Service's sage-grouse
initiative program aimed at habitat improvement.
Currently, Jim works with multiple
agencies to remove encroaching conifers to
further their conservation efforts.
The Bush family, including Jim's late father,
Dean, have always welcomed the department
onto the ranch, supporting various activities
from hunting access to conservation initiatives.
They are known for their hospitality,
especially accommodating veterans seeking
hunting opportunities.
Wyoming Wildlife | 11

October 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2024