The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is building a strategic plan for the next five to 10 years. The first step in this process was to take public input on the future of Wyoming’s wildlife. That was done at the beginning of 2018, and now a team from Game and Fish has drafted six goals using that input. Those goals will be presented to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in September for approval. 
 
To review what the public said, please see the report online. The public had many ways to participate including public meetings, an online forum, as well as a random telephone survey of 2,558 Wyoming citizens and focus groups.
 
The draft goals are online and anyone can respond to this work at wildlifeforum.org. The goals are organized under Game and Fish’s mission of Conserving Wildlife - Serving People. The themes of the goals are protecting wildlife, habitat, preventing the spread of invasive species, better communication, a stronger and more efficient agency and promoting wildlife experiences.
 
“This is a first-of-a-kind effort, and I am appreciative of all of the people who have participated in the process and our employees who are helping to set a direction for Game and Fish,” said Game and Fish Director, Scott Talbott. 

The social science data were gathered by Responsive Management, a survey research firm specializing in capturing and analyzing public opinions toward natural resources and outdoor recreation, and The Cooperation Company, a firm specializing in strategic and operational planning for this significant project. 

In every setting the data shows the public has overwhelming support for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and its work to conserve wildlife and serve people. The public and employees did offer many ideas on how to the agency can improve in the years to come. That’s being factored into the goals and then will be built into the implementation plan that will come after. 

As the agency leading wildlife management in Wyoming, the Game and Fish manages and conserves more than 800 species of fish and wildlife across Wyoming.  For nearly 120 years, Game and Fish has carried out their mission to conserve wildlife and serve people. Through these efforts, the Game and Fish ensures the public continues to enjoy Wyoming’s vast fish and wildlife resource  through hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching and other forms of outdoor recreation. Hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers contribute over a billion dollars to Wyoming’s economy each year.