Wyoming Wildlife May 2024 - 2

FROM THE
DIRECTOR
Cultivating conservationists
By Brian Nesvik
I
still remember the excitement
around my first trip to
the Springer Special Pheasant
Hunt when I was 12 years old. The
anticipation of the morning hunt
kept me from sleeping. The smell
of coffee, hot chocolate and donuts
filled the cab of our Jeep Wagoneer
as we made the three-hour trek from
Casper to Yoder. I can still feel the
nip of the frosty morning as we waited
in line at the check station. I was
eager to proudly show my Springer
permit and hunter safety card to the
red shirt working behind the counter.
The morning hunt didn't disappoint,
and I remember being hooked
for life on all things outside.
Upland bird hunting offers a unique entry
point for our youth to immerse themselves in
the outdoors while learning important lessons
about wildlife management and hunter safety.
Bird hunting can be a powerful experience
that connects our youth to wildlife and their
family and friends - including their fourlegged
ones. There's something truly special
about hearing the crows of roosters, the sound
of the flush and the sight of a satisfied dog
with a bird in its mouth after a solid retrieve.
Countless sportspeople have relayed to me
how these experiences built on their deep
appreciation for wildlife and conservation.
Everyone who wears a red shirt at the Wyoming
Game and Fish Department understands
and knows this feeling - it's why we
are so invested in our Inspire a Kid initiative.
Throughout the year and at different events,
2 | May 2024
Two young hunters take a break during a pheasant hunt at the Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)
Game and Fish personnel lend a hand to help
kids learn. We have always been passionate
about the tradition of teaching our youth
to enjoy the outdoors. We know helping
kids connect to the outdoors will ensure we
continue to have citizens in the future who
care about our state's tremendous wildlife
resources.
For the last 50 years, Springer has been
the gateway for many of Wyoming's youth
to engage in their first hunting experience.
In an effort to carry on our state's hunting
heritage, the department hosts youth-only
hunting days throughout the season. These
special hunting days are designed to inspire
our youth to hunt and emphasize the values
of our natural resources, responsibility and
conservation. I encourage you to take the
youth in your life to one of these special hunts
this fall. By taking our youth hunting we can
teach them invaluable lessons about what it
means to be an ethical hunter. Not only will
you be able to create a meaningful experience
for them, but hopefully you'll spark their
curiosity about the natural world.
As we all work together to develop and cultivate
the next generation of conservationists,
think about your first experience that hooked
you on the outdoors and connected you to
nature. Our state's wildlife needs people who
care about conservation. More than ever, we
need people who are willing to participate in
conservation groups, weigh in on important
wildlife policy decisions and throw on a red
shirt and work for our state's wildlife management
agency. There are a number of diverse
jobs in the department including computer
programmers, engineers, habitat biologists,
game wardens, videographers, fish culturists,
accountants, graphic designers and large carnivore
biologists - to name a few. The people
who fill these roles share a common passion
and dedication to our state, the outdoors
and wildlife.
As I prepare to hang up my red shirt and
transition into retirement, I can say without
reservation that working with the department
on our Inspire a Kid initiative has been
incredibly rewarding.
As for the trip back to Casper from Yoder
40-plus years ago, I don't remember that part
of the trip. After a sleepless night, the adrenaline
rush of the hunt and my dad walking
my tail off, I slept all the way home.

Wyoming Wildlife May 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Wyoming Wildlife May 2024