This year’s inductees include four individuals with varying backgrounds, but who all contributed significantly to Wyoming’s wildlife and outdoors. Dr. George Frison, Jerry Galles, Stephen Leek and Dr. Oliver Scott join past inductees, including Teddy Roosevelt, Curt Gowdy and Olaus and Mardy Murie.

The induction ceremony will take place in Cody at the Buffalo Bill Center for the West on November 14. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Wildlife Foundation invite the public to come and celebrate this year’s class. Tickets and information are available here.

“So many people across the state care deeply about the outdoors and the wildlife, these resources are an essential part of the quality of life here. The Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame is a means to celebrate those that have made lasting contributions and this latest class is impressive and we look forward to celebrating their accomplishments,” said Scott Talbott Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Dr. George Frison was Wyoming’s first state archeologist. For nearly 50 years his deep curiosity in Wyoming’s natural world guided his research, his writing, which includes 14 books and more than 100 academic articles, and his teaching at the University of Wyoming. He was adamant that you cannot talk about the prehistoric world and hunting of that era without understanding the behavior of the prey species. His background in hunting and ranching gave him knowledge of the behavior of animals.

Jerry Galles is a statesman for wildlife. His involvement in conservation has come at all levels and his enthusiasm and care for this heritage fosters action in others. He has poured himself into efforts supporting all manner of wildlife by giving substantially to groups including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, the Mule Deer Foundation, Muley Fanatics, the National Wild Turkey Foundation, the Old West Invitational Turkey Shoot, the Natrona County Land Use Committee, the Governor’s Big Game License Coalition, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and in fact the list goes on from there.

Stephen Leek is known as the “Father of the Elk.” It is not hyperbole to say he played a significant role in the conservation work that made the current abundance of elk throughout Wyoming and the Rocky Mountains possible. Leek was the driving force behind Congress’ creation of the National Elk Refuge north of Jackson and served in the Wyoming Legislature, where he secured funding to feed elk and pushed changes to prevent groups from harvesting elk for their teeth and tusks.

Dr. Oliver Scott was one of Wyoming’s foremost amateur ornithologists. He significantly contributed to many of the birding resources in our state and in the West. Dr. Scott’s passion for birds fostered Wyoming’s birdwatching community in many ways. When Dr. Scott came to Wyoming in 1948, he became the first board-certified pediatrician in the state, he also brought to Wyoming his love of birds and support for their conservation. He conducted the first Audubon Christmas Bird Count in Casper and was co-founder of the Wyoming Audubon Society, which became the Murie Audubon Society.
Tickets are limited for the induction ceremony and banquet.