Directors Office
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
The Department is created and placed under the direction and supervision of the Commission in W.S. 23-1-401. The responsibilities of the Department are defined in W.S. 23-1-103. The Department is charged with providing..."an adequate and flexible system for the control, management, protection, and regulation of all Wyoming wildlife."
Scott Talbott
Director
Scott Talbott was appointed as Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in 2011 and has served the wildlife and people of the State of Wyoming for over 30 years.
Scott is a third generation Wyoming native. He grew up and worked on the family ranch outside of Laramie, Wyoming and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming. In the spring of 1985, Scott began his career with the Department. He has worked in various capacities including elk feeder, game warden, wildlife investigator, regional wildlife supervisor and deputy chief of the wildlife division. He is a certified professional peace officer and has been a commissioned wildlife law enforcement officer for 29 years
Scott was awarded the Wyoming Game Warden’s Association Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 1990 and the Shikar-Safari Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Wyoming in 1991. He received the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director’s Award in 2008. He is a 2011 graduate of the National Conservation Leadership Institute and a 2014 Graduate of Leadership Wyoming. He served his term as President of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in 2016.
Scott is an avid outdoorsman who loves Wyoming and its natural resources. He spends his spare time hunting and fishing with his two sons Payden and Luke. Scott enjoys training horses and going on backcountry pack trips in the remote mountains of Wyoming. He remains actively involved in the family's ranching operation.
John Kennedy
Deputy Director (internal operations)
John Kennedy oversees internal programs in the agency, including development and management of the Commission’s budget; final approval of all grants, contracts and agreements; and oversight of the fish, wildlife, services and fiscal divisions. He graduated from the inaugural National Conservation Leadership Institute Program in 2007 and graduated from the Leadership Wyoming program in 2017. He continues to serve on numerous committees of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. John was born and raised in Idaho. He holds a B.S. degree in wildlife management from the University of Idaho and an M.S. degree in wildlife management from South Dakota State University. John is an avid outdoorsman and spends his spare time hunting and fishing.
Scott Smith
Deputy Director (external operations)
Scott Smith is currently the Deputy Director for external operations for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Scott has worked for the State of Wyoming for 33 years, and was stationed in Pinedale, Wyoming for most of his career (23 years) where he served as a wildlife biologist. In 2013, Scott transferred to the Cheyenne Headquarters to serve as Deputy Chief of Wildlife and was recently promoted to Deputy Director.
Scott graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s of Science in Range Management and a Master’s of Science in Zoology.
Scott is an avid outdoorsman and spends his spare time hunting, fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Sheridan Todd
Executive Assistant
Glenn Pauley
Planning Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department Office of the Director
5400 Bishop Boulevard
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82006
Ph: (307) 777-4600
Fax: (307) 777-4699