Jason and Maureen Oedekoven of Recluse were honored as the Sheridan Region’s 2018 Landowners of the Year at the July WGFD Commission meeting in Laramie.

The Oedekovens were nominated by Gillette Wildlife Biologist Erika Peckham, North Gillette Game Warden Kristen DaVanon and Terrestrial Habitat Biologist Todd Caltrider for the exemplary stewardship they practice on their property, as well as their passionate promotion of conservation in their community.

The Oedekovens purchased their ranch 15 years ago and began a sustained improvement program that included aggressive weed management, stream stabilization, installation of water tanks and pipelines to better distribute livestock grazing, planting of windbreaks to pull cattle off the ranch’s riparian habitat, planting of cottonwoods along the banks of Bitter Creek, thinning of conifers and junipers to improve livestock and wildlife grazing and more.

“The Oedekovens have always viewed conservation as a staple of ranch management and it is apparent if you have stepped foot on their ranch,” said Caltrider. “Their stretch of Bitter Creek is full of native birds, reptiles, amphibians, pheasants and deer raising their fawns. The forests on the ranch are also teeming with wildlife, including mule deer, wild turkeys and the occasional elk. This is a testament to their passion and commitment to managing the land in a manner that benefits not only livestock, but wildlife as well.”