The Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners are appointed to six-year term by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Each Commissioner has to give up over a dozen days from their own lives and businesses per year to serve the public and the public’s wildlife. Carrie Little from Leiter, Charles Price from Daniel, and Richard Klouda from Lander all finished their terms as Commissioners at this week’s Commission meeting. 

“It has been an honor to serve for these past six years. During this time all of the Commissioners have had the unique opportunity to learn about the people who work for Wyoming’s wildlife every day and they work harder than most people know. I want to thank them and all of the groups and people across Wyoming who contribute to conserving Wyoming’s incredible wildlife and our hunting and fishing heritage,” said outgoing Commission President, Carrie Little.

“This has been a challenging and exciting era for wildlife management. Our three outgoing Commissioners did an incredible job in guiding policy through the last six years,” said Director Scott Talbott. “Our Commission has established sound plans for conserving wolves and grizzly bears; made appropriate cuts when necessary and investments when the opportunity was available; and set forth long-lasting initiatives that will benefit future generations.”

Other projects the Commission considered and approved are:

• A plan to host the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Expo Celebrating Wildlife, Hunting and Fishing in 2017 in Lander in conjunction with the local expo. The expo will move to Casper in 2018.
• An investment in the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp to renovate the facility and preserve it for future use as a resource to advance wildlife conservation education and recruiting new hunters and anglers.
• Updates to Wyoming’s black bear hunting regulations.  
• A resolution in support of the Wildlife Restoration Program, which was recommended by the national Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The Commission will meet next March 23-24 in Riverton.