Landowner of the Year

Greg Jaggers was a landowner in the Pinedale Region for just a few short years before passing away to a short battle with an aggressive cancer. However, in the time that Greg Jaggers called the BMG Ranch along the New Fork River home, it was clear that he exemplified a conservation-minded landowner, while still running a successful cattle operation. Greg Jaggers exuded an uncharacteristic energy about the property along the New Fork River and had an incredible vision for improvements that would better wildlife habitat.

The BMG Ranch encompasses more than 1,300 acres and nearly 6 miles of the New Fork River corridor. The hayfields, riparian wetlands, sage uplands and stream habitats enmeshed in the ranch offer a little something for all types of game and nongame fish and wildlife that call western Wyoming home. In particular, the riparian and floodplain corridor of the New Fork has been a focal point for aquatic restoration efforts in the last decade. It also contained crucial ranges for Sublette Moose and Sublette Pronghorn herds, and was immediately adjacent to sage-grouse winter concentration areas. The Sublette Pronghorn Migration corridor utilizes much of the property as herds cross the New Fork River bound for pastures beyond. While not officially designated, many wintering deer use the property both as direct winter range and as a migratory corridor to move south of the New Fork in the roughest of winters. Greg Jaggers knew, understood and supported all of these wildlife values, and would be the first to make and support suggestions for enhancement.

We were in the middle of our first river restoration project on the BMG Ranch when Greg Jaggers purchased the property. We anticipated the work might stall upon the transfer, but quickly learned the tenacity that typified Greg Jaggers. He insisted we get the work done and facilitated our implementation even more quickly than we had planned. He also had ideas of several other projects on the ranch. One idea of his was generally agreed to be very desirable, but also projected to be quite expensive. Without batting an eye, Greg Jaggers offered up his own money to complete the work. Greg Jaggers was also working with federal partners on developing additional wetland habitats on the ranch, and had modified crop cuttings and cattle feeding to best supplement waterfowl. When Greg Jaggers observed elevated road mortality near the ranch, he petitioned the Wyoming Department of Transportation to create and enforce a speed corridor near the ranch and adjusted feeding logistics to reduce the attractive nuisance for deer.

Greg Jaggers’s efforts toward wildlife conservation and fisheries enhancement at the BMG Ranch were nothing short of incredible. His dogged determination to make things better for wildlife perfectly complemented his joyous exuberance for his own time afield. There was no mistaking where his passion came from, and he took whatever opportunity he could to share that with those around him. His jovial and affable nature was infectious, and continues to inspire conservation efforts on the New Fork River today.

The Ujifusa family is one of the foundational families to settle Washakie County, farming in the area for the past 107 years. Carol Throntveit’s grandfather, Sam Ujifusa, worked for the railroad and in 1919 the track ended in Greybull. Sam came to Greybull and never left. He gave up railroad work and started farming on a small parcel of land his older brother gifted him. Sam had two sons, George and Warren. Warren was Carol’s father. George and Warren grew up farming and sold vegetables at a roadside stand in their younger years. The two brothers eventually formed Ujifusa Brothers, a farming operation they operated until their retirement in 1984. That year, Gary Throntveit gave up his career as a bricklayer in Denver and moved to Worland with Carol to take over the farming operation in partnership with Mike Ujifusa. Gary, Carol and Mike formed Ujifusa Farms which they actively farmed until their retirement in 2010.

The trio currently lease their property to two other foundational family farmers who carry out the day-to-day production activities although Gary is still active in building, maintaining and securing the farm’s infrastructure.

Gary, Carol and Mike enrolled their properties in the Walk-In Hunting Area Program in 1998, the first year the Private Land Public Wildlife program was established. They are one of the foundational landowners to the program. Their walk-in hunting areas include three separate properties with a total of 871 acres enrolled. One of the properties provides access to several hundred acres of state land, increasing the land open to hunters to more than 1,000 acres.

The properties provide some of the best wildlife habitat in the Worland area. It is common to see hundreds of pronghorn on all three properties during the late fall and winter. Thousands of geese use the crop residue as winter forage. Literally hundreds, if not thousands, of hunters have hunted and harvested game on the property over the past 28 years.

Because the properties have such great wildlife values, several outfitters have approached the Throntveits on several occasions to lease their properties for their commercial hunting operations. The Throntveits have declined the outfitters’ offers, citing it is important to them to provide public access to their private land. Gary grew up in Iowa. He was an avid hunter and angler. Iowa is almost entirely private land with limited public access areas. As he grew older, he noticed the ever increasing loss of access to his favorite stomping grounds because the private land parcels were being leased out for outfitting and hunting clubs. Having the opportunity to hunt and fish was one of the main reasons he moved west. Gary knows the value of public access to private land and has done everything in his power to provide access to their property. This comes at a significant loss of potential income from a private hunting lease. In the era where many of the walk-in areas in Washakie County have been lost in the past 10 years, the Throntveit’s commitment to providing public access is commendable. Gary often comments how appreciative he is when hunters drop him a thank-you note with their landowner coupon. He understands what the loss of access means to most hunters.

The Throntveits have always had an excellent working relationship with Game and Fish. They have never filed a damage claim even though it is common to see hundreds of animals on their property. In 2009, Gary worked with the department to rectify a chronic damage situation where 500-plus pronghorn would move onto one of the enrolled WIAs. The sight of this huge concentration of animals on a relatively small area resembled the great herds of the Serengeti.

The producer that leased the property always tried to save the forage for late winter grazing for his cattle. The pronghorn consumed much of the available forage in excess of what even the most ardent wildlife admirer could support. For many years, the leasee requested the department do something about the high concentration of pronghorn on the property. Department personnel and the leasees spent many days trying to haze the pronghorn. On several occasions a crew of 15-plus riders on horseback and ATVs would herd the pronghorn nearly 20 miles only to have them return a few days later. We just couldn’t keep the pronghorn away. Seeking a more permanent solution to the problem, Gary worked with the department to design and rebuild a section of fence to prevent the large number of pronghorn from coming onto the property. Gary purchased all the materials himself. Their leasee provided the labor. Gary allowed the department to salvage the material from the existing fence. Department personnel used those materials to rebuild the adjacent landowner’s fence, strengthening the barrier to the pronghorn. This cooperative effort effectively solved the chronic damage problem. Gary’s commitment to resolve the problem has saved the department tens of thousands of dollars in potential damage claims over the years. It serves as a prime example of what can be done by working together to solve a problem.

In closing we would like to emphasize that Gary, Carol and Mike are truly worthy of this award, most notably because they are good, honest, hardworking people that will do anything in their power to help another person. They have maintained an excellent working relationship with the department for nearly three decades. They have graciously opened up their land for many hunters for many years.

James and Jen Sewell of Sewell Ranching LLC acquired the McCarty Canyon Ranch in 2020. The McCarty Canyon Ranch is in Carbon County approximately 40 miles south of Rawlins. The ranch encompasses approximately 9,200 acres of important seasonal-range habitat for mule deer, elk and pronghorn, and falls entirely within sage-grouse core. The ranch shares boundaries with the southeast end of the Red Rim-Grizzly Wildlife Habitat Management Area, and intersects the Baggs Mule Deer Migration Corridor.

Upon learning that portions of the ranch reside within the corridor, the Sewells became motivated to work toward improving livestock fences for wildlife movement. Converting dilapidated fences that were hazardous to wildlife would not only benefit their own operation, but would also provide wildlife the ability to better access habitats on the ranch and pass through the ranch during migrations. Partnering with the USDA through the Big Game Migration Initiative and the WYldlife Fund, 10 miles of internal fence on the ranch has been converted to wildlife-friendly fence specifications since 2022.

In addition to fence conversions, Sewell Ranching has been involved with over 1,400 acres of mixed mountain shrub treatments to enhance habitats for wildlife, participating in large-scale, cross-landownership cheatgrass treatments, and headwater protection projects for Little Savery Creek, an important tributary to the Little Snake River.

These projects dovetail perfectly with the fence and habitat work that has already occurred on the immediately adjacent Red Rim-Grizzly WHMA and the surrounding landscape. This work will have lasting positive impacts on the wildlife that utilize the resources on the ranch, and is perhaps highlighted by the benefits to mule deer that migrate more than 50 miles to access winter ranges as far south as into Colorado. Finally, the projects benefit people who recreate in the area, with about 2,500 hunters participating in the Baggs Mule Deer Herd hunting seasons annually and about 5,000 during Sierra Madre Elk Herd hunting seasons, among many other user groups.

Sewell Ranching continues to allow partner access for project monitoring as well as natural resource education outreach with local communities. Sewell Ranching was recently accepted to participate in the livestock grazing program on the Grizzly WHMA 2026-30 and will be looking to continue their conservation efforts not only on the WHMA, but on their property as well.

The Scott family has shown a long-standing commitment to wildlife conservation, public access and good land stewardship at the historic Two Bar Ranch. Since purchasing the ranch in 1971, they have continued a tradition of caring for the land by enrolling large portions of the ranch in the department’s Access Yes program, allowing public hunting for pronghorn, deer and elk while helping the department meet wildlife management goals. Through years of rotational grazing, responsible range management and low-stress livestock handling, the family has maintained healthy, diverse rangelands that benefit both livestock and wildlife, including high-quality sage-grouse habitat. Their efforts were recognized with the Excellence in Grazing Management Award from the Wyoming Section of the Society for Range Management and continue today with active involvement from third- and fourth-generation family members, demonstrating the important role private landowners play in wildlife conservation and long-term land stewardship.

The Two Bar Ranch also has worked with Game and Fish to address wildlife habitat concerns. They allowed the department to reduce greasewood in the right-of-way near their headquarters in order to increase the visibility of mule deer to motorists. The department also has been working to modify fences to wildlife-friendly specifications in priority areas. When several boundary fences were brought to the department by Two Bar’s neighbors and were identified as priorities for replacement, Two Bar allowed for the fences to be modified to wildlife-friendly specifications. Two Bar also brought their concerns regarding the declining condition of Lone Tree Creek to the department. The ranch began working with NRCS and Game and Fish to build beaver dam analogs, but further engineered work was necessary to halt the large headcuts in the system. Upon the successful receipt of mitigation funds from the Gateway transmission line, the ranch worked with the department to design and implement a restoration project on Lone Tree. The project required considerable planning effort. Andy Anderson, in particular, spent a substantial amount of time to help develop and review the restoration design. The work was recently completed by the Game and Fish Habitat and Access Crew. Department employees found Two Bar to be easy and reasonable to work with. The ranch is pursuing infrastructure for improved grazing management in the Lone Tree pasture on their own. The Two Bar Ranch has been an excellent private landowner partner for the department’s habitat improvement goals.

The section of Horse Creek that runs through the Cecil and Daily properties is home to numerous native fish species, including many designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. These SGCN species include bigmouth shiner, brassy minnow, common shiner, northern plains killifish, orangethroat darter, plains topminnow and suckermouth minnow. Many of these species are designated as SGCN because of their limited distribution in Wyoming and the propensity for their habitat to be altered by human activities. As a result, improving habitat quality and connectivity in this section of Horse Creek has become a focal point of department work in recent years.

In 2023 and 2024, two large-scale habitat improvement projects took place on the properties of these two landowners. On the Cecil property, a long, low-grade fishway was installed at the site of the Horse Creek Lateral Diversion. This diversion is a significant conduit, where water that joined Horse Creek from the Fort Laramie Canal is diverted back out of the creek. As such, it has a tall (~3-foot) weir that was considered a complete barrier to upstream fish movement during times when water was being diverted. Many of the native fish species present in Horse Creek need extended connected habitat to complete their life cycle, and this barrier was likely restricting movement during certain critical periods such as spawning times. The construction of the fishway marked a significant improvement to habitat connectivity, and would not have been possible without the support of the landowner. In addition to Wendy Cecil’s support in allowing this structure to be constructed on her property, we have appreciated her interest and enthusiasm as the work has been completed. She allowed us access to sample on several stretches of the creek on her property, inquired after results to understand what fish were present, and was an engaged partner in the entire process.

On the Daily property, a significant realignment and reconstruction of the main channel of Horse Creek was completed. The creek had been eroding a large embankment that threatened several structures and decreased habitat quality. Further, the channel had steepened downstream of a headgate, making fish passage more difficult. In partnership with the landowner, the department realigned the channel, installed a new headgate and constructed riffles, runs and pools to simulate natural stream design. We have appreciated Miles Daily’s ongoing cooperation on this work, including access for construction and early repairs and helping with grazing management in the construction area to prevent the overgrowth of noxious weeds. He also granted access on numerous occasions to conduct fish community sampling, including a recent sampling event that confirmed the presence of orangethroat darter in the creek for the first time in decades. We appreciate his partnership throughout this process.

In 2025, we conducted a fish tagging study to understand fish movement through both these habitat improvement areas, which involved multiple occasions of sampling and tagging fish, installing monitoring arrays on both properties and visiting the sites regularly to maintain the arrays and download data. We are enormously grateful to these landowners for their cooperation with these efforts and allowing such an extended period of our presence on their lands. The data we gained from this work helps us to evaluate the success of these projects and plan for future habitat work across the state, providing a benefit to aquatic systems throughout Wyoming.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge the cooperation we have received from members of Wendy’s and Miles’s families over the past decade. Wendy’s father, Jack Cecil, was always accommodating and welcoming to our fish sampling needs on Horse Creek. Miles’s brother, Matt Daily, allowed access to the segment of Horse Creek on their property in 2018 and 2019, the results of which helped inform our 2025 research project. We are grateful for the longstanding interest and engagement these families have shown in management of Horse Creek and its native species.

Betty and her family conserve more than 25,000 acres in Johnson and Washakie counties. Once you step foot on the ranch, it is readily apparent conservation is a big part of the Falxa Ranch. The ranches provide ample wide-open spaces for wildlife to roam free and have changed little throughout time, except for a few modern livestock water systems and cross-fencing done to help facilitate conservative grazing management practices. Much of the area surrounding the ranch has seen significant change from natural resource extraction and associated activities. The Falxa Ranch, along with a handful of neighboring ranches, remains focused on traditional uses and the prioritization of wildlife habitat and the benefits it provides. 

The Falxa family has a long history in Wyoming. Martin’s grandfather immigrated in 1903 to Johnson County from the Basque region of France. He worked as a sheepherder, gradually exchanging sheep for land along the Powder River east of Buffalo. Martin’s knack for science took him out of Wyoming for his career, but the family ranches always held a special place in the hearts of Martin and his wife, Betty. 

Conservation has always been a big part of the management plan for the ranches. Betty and Martin worked with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and other partners to complete extensive habitat improvement projects on both ranches for the benefit of wildlife. The work included the implementation of a grazing management plan and the installation of cross-fencing to help facilitate rotational grazing system. The Falxa Ranch implemented prescribed fire and sagebrush mowing to rejuvenate decadent mountain sagebrush stands for the benefit of elk, deer and sage-grouse on the ranch in the southern Bighorn Mountains. On the Johnson County property, the Falxa Ranch worked with the department and the Lake DeSmet Conservation District to rejuvenate hundreds of acres of degraded rangeland to improve rangeland production for both livestock and wildlife through native seeding and rangeland aeriation. Currently, Betty is working with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and other partners to put the Washakie County ranch under a conservation easement. 

Audubon Rockies designated the Johnson County property as an Important Bird Area. This designation is part of a global conservation strategy that focuses on habitats and key bird species. The ranch met or exceeded all criteria and standards required for IBA status, highlighting its importance for bird populations. The Johnson County ranch also provides crucial breeding habitat for sage-grouse in the Buffalo Sage-Grouse Core area. Betty has worked extensively with Pheasants Forever on a project to improve mesic habitat for sage-grouse brood rearing. Current project plans include the installation of hundreds of Zeedyk structures across 10 miles of mesic draws. The structures will help collect sediment, reduce erosion and provide crucial forage for sage-grouse hens and their broods and benefit a multitude of other species. 

Unfortunately, during the summer of 2024 a large portion of the Johnson County ranch burned in the House Draw Fire. The fire was devastating to sage-grouse and other sagebrush obligate species. The wind driven fire rapidly burned approximately 174,000 acres in three days. The fire destroyed 85% of the sagebrush community in the fire perimeter. Although it was devastating to see this level of habitat destruction, conservationists were fortunate to have a landowner like the Falxa Ranch involved in the restoration. Immediately after the fire, the Falxa Ranch replaced or repaired the Zeedyk structures damaged in the fire. When the House Draw Fire Restoration team asked if the Falxa Ranch would be interested in replanting sagebrush in the fire, Betty did not even hesitate. During the winter of 2025, the Falxa Ranch facilitated the aerially seeding of 450 acres of sagebrush seed in the burn scar. Betty has been working with Pheasants Forever to plant additional 4,300 sagebrush seedlings this fall. 

The Falxa Ranch has always been a terrific cooperator, not only for conservation work on the ground, but also the advancement of scientific research and conservation education. Betty has been an exceptional partner, granting Game and Fish access for monitoring activities and allowing personnel access to and across the property during busy fall field seasons. This access saves personnel countless hours and often significantly improves response time when traversing the Powder River. The Falxa Ranch has provided access for three different large sage-grouse studies in the Powder River Basin. The ranch hosts Audubon Society gatherings and birding tours and participates in annual lek counts and monitoring of raptor nests. The Falxa Ranch also hosted a workshop with Pheasants Forever to demonstrate the importance and applicability of Zeedyk structures to interested conservation groups and private landowners. During the spring of 2025, the Faxla Ranch hosted Kaycee Middle School students to learn about wildfire restoration and monitoring led by Game and Fish. 

The department is fortunate to have a partner like the Falxa Ranch, who has cooperated with conservation partners to protect crucial habitat for a variety of wildlife species, implement habitat improvement projects and facilitate conservation education and research for the benefit the conservation community.

The Cody Region of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department proudly nominates J Bar 9 Ranch for the 2025 Landowner of the Year Award. Located south of Cody in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, J Bar 9 Ranch has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement and collaborative efforts that benefit Wyoming’s natural resources. Under the leadership of ranch manager Bob Curtis, J Bar 9 Ranch has been an exemplary partner in wildlife stewardship through its contributions to elk and mule deer research, wildlife habitat management and its broader conservation initiatives in the South Fork of the Shoshone River drainage. 

J Bar 9 Ranch was purchased in 1988. Bob Curtis started as the ranch manager in 1996 and he brought his family there with him. As time progressed, Bob’s family has gotten involved in the ranch activities and taken on more responsibilities. The J Bar 9 is now a private guest ranch and working cattle ranch. Since the purchase of the main property, multiple adjacent properties have been acquired and incorporated into its management plan and vision. Bob Curtis has been instrumental in cultivating a conservation-minded approach to ranching in the South Fork valley. 

J Bar 9 Ranch has played an essential role in advancing scientific understanding of Wyoming’s wildlife populations, particularly through its partnership in elk and mule deer collaring studies. The ranch has provided critical access to researchers conducting these studies, which has significantly improved the department’s knowledge of movement patterns, habitat use and survival rates of these species. The data collected through these efforts directly informs management decisions, contributing to sustainable populations for future generations.

In addition to supporting research, J Bar 9 Ranch has actively engaged in habitat conservation projects that enhance winter range and migration corridors for big game. These efforts include strategic grazing management, invasive species control and the implementation of wildlife-friendly fencing to facilitate safe passage for migrating animals. The ranch’s dedication to maintaining open landscapes and quality forage has benefited a wide array of species, from elk and mule deer to pronghorn and large carnivore species. 

The conservation efforts of J Bar 9 Ranch extend beyond its property boundaries, benefiting surrounding public lands and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The ranch works closely with Game and Fish, conservation organizations and local landowners to facilitate conservation strategies that enhance wildlife connectivity and ecosystem resilience. The ranch has been active in land trades with the U.S. Forest Service and adjacent property owners to preserve such connectivity, limit development and provide winter range for wildlife. Bob Curtis worked closely with Park County Road and Bridge engineers when the South Fork Road was improved several years ago, to ensure access for upper South Fork residents and the popular trailheads used by a variety of recreationists. The ranch also allows access to sportspersons from the Outdoor Dream Foundation and Wyoming Disabled hunters to hunt elk every year. The Curtis family provides assistance to other elderly or disabled hunters for elk hunting opportunities as well. By fostering these partnerships, J Bar 9 Ranch has helped bridge the gap between private land stewardship and regional wildlife management goals. Bob Curtis’ leadership and understanding of wildlife management principles has driven a proactive conservation approach. The Curtis family has worked to ensure that the ranch remains a model of sustainable land use, demonstrating how private landowners can play a vital role in preserving Wyoming’s rich natural heritage. 

J Bar 9 Ranch exemplifies the spirit of conservation and responsible land stewardship that Game and Fish seeks to recognize. Through its steadfast support of wildlife research, commitment to habitat enhancement and active participation in regional conservation efforts, the ranch has made a lasting impact on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The partnership between J Bar 9 Ranch, Game and Fish and the broader conservation community stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in safeguarding Wyoming’s wildlife resources. The department views Bob Curtis and family as exemplary ranch managers and wildlife advocates, who represent the Cody area traditions and local culture. Game and Fish is appreciative of the relationship held with the Curtis family. Discussions about wildlife management challenges and the South Fork valley traditions with Bob and his family have not only been enjoyable, but are imperative to our future partnership.

This family has cared for the land and wildlife for several generations from South Pass and the Sweetwater River down to the Interstate 80 corridor near Tipton. They take great pride in their stewardship of the resources and their livestock operations. 

NL Land and Livestock was traditionally a domestic sheep operation, but over the years have converted to cattle. When the Wyoming Game and Fish Department approached them about the potential to convert 23 miles of woven-wire fencing to a more wildlife-friendly design to help migrating pronghorn in the Red Desert, they didn’t hesitate. Tom and Mary toured the project with the Game and Fish, BLM and the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Board and talked about how they have been concerned about those fences and the pronghorn and were happy to help. Tom took the project on and managed to convert all 23 miles of fencing in one season, including fabricating and installing pipe crossing structures every quarter-mile along the fence to make crossing even easier, especially in difficult winters like the one in 2022-23. This project opened up more than 18,000 acres of critical winter range habitat for the migratory Red Desert Pronghorn Herd. Tom also participated in an outreach effort with the University of Wyoming to help get the word out to other land managers in the Red Desert about the efforts of Game and Fish and UW’s Migration Initiative to convert problematic fences and improve movement corridors for wildlife. 

The Bar X portion of NL Land and Livestock is located north of the Red Desert along the Sweetwater River. Archie Chant has worked for years to convert the woven-wire internal fences on this portion of the ranch to wildlife-friendly designs, including many miles of 3-wire electric fence. He has worked hard to protect the riparian areas along the Sweetwater River to help sustain the resilience of the river and maintain habitat for wildlife including sage-grouse, moose, beaver and mule deer. In fact, Archie has asked Game and Fish to relocate any problem beavers to the Sweetwater River and tributaries to help keep water on the ranch. Archie is working with NRCS to install beaver dam analogs and Zeedyk structures to restore wet meadow and riparian sage-grouse habitat along Fish Creek and to make this stream more suitable habitat for beavers. He also has a monitoring system in place to ensure his grazing operation is supporting healthy, sustainable rangelands. In 2024, Game and Fish approached Archie and Mary about converting the boundary fences of the Bar X allotment, which includes private and BLM lands. These woven-wire fences create substantial barriers to the migrating Sublette Pronghorn Herd. They agreed that these fences were problematic to pronghorn and agreed to collaborate with Game and Fish to convert them to wildlife friendly-fence designs including crossing structures to improve passage for migrating ungulates and fence markers to help prevent sage-grouse collisions with the fence.

In addition to their stewardship of their ranches in the Red Desert, Tom Chant and his family have been a part of the Red Rim-Grizzly Wildlife Habitat Management Area grazing program since 2016. Tom has rested pastures and deferred use in his Poison Buttes and Cottonwood Hill allotments during this time frame to provide better mule deer habitat as those areas are crucial winter range for the Baggs Mule Deer Herd. Tom has been a cooperative partner on the WHMA assisting with fence conversions to benefit wildlife, routine maintenance of developed livestock watering facilities, annual fence maintenance, rebuilding the Grizzly communal corral and hauling his own backhoe to the WHMA to clean all the cattle guards when the BLM suffered a setback and couldn’t get staff or equipment on site. Tom has been responsive to any issues that arise during his use on the WHMA from dealing with cattle being in the wrong pastures, moving mineral sites to better distribute cattle grazing and changing up grazing plans and schedules to work with the fluid state of range conditions annually. The Grizzly WHMA, Baggs Mule Deer Herd and other wildlife in the area, along with the sportspersons of Wyoming, have benefited from their partnership with Tom and his family during this time. 

Game and Fish would like to formally thank NL Land and Livestock for all of their work to maintain quality wildlife habitat and sustainable rangelands. For all of these reasons, Mary Hay, Tom and Savanah Chant and Archie and Lesa Chant are deserving recipients of the Lander Region’s Landowner of the Year Award.

The Turtle Rock Ranch, owned and operated by the Mark and Angela Grant family and the Craig and Mary Grant fam- ily, exemplifies responsible land stewardship and a strong commitment to wildlife conservation. Located about 20 miles south of Glenrock in the Laramie Range, the ranch provides excellent habitat for elk, deer, pronghorn and many other species. Their dedication to wildlife management and public hunting access makes them a deserving nominee for the Landowner of the Year Award. 

For more than 15 years, the Grants have worked closely with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to help control the large elk population in Elk Hunt Area 7. The Laramie Peak elk herd is estimated at around 10,000 elk — double the management goal of 5,000. These high numbers have led to significant agricultural damage, as elk consume hay crops, damage fences and disrupt ranching operations. The Grants have actively participated in programs like Hunter Management and Access, Hunter Management Areas (HMA) and other elk reduction programs to increase elk harvests and help manage this overpopulation. 

Each year, the Turtle Rock Ranch allows hunters to access their land from Aug. 1-Jan. 31. Angela Grant does an outstanding job documenting this effort, which has resulted in an additional elk harvests outside of the HMA. The Grants also took part in other reduction programs, leading to the harvest of additional elk during the 2024-25 hunting season. This level of access and cooperation is rare and highly commendable. 

Despite these efforts, the challenge remains. Over time, elk have adapted to hunting pressure on the ranch, becoming more nocturnal and moving to neighboring lands, making population control even more difficult. Still, the Grants continue to work alongside Game and Fish, helping to develop long-term strategies to bring elk numbers back to target levels. 

Beyond hunting access, the Grants are committed to habitat conservation. Their ranch consists of diverse landscapes, including aspen groves, shrublands, grasslands, forests and riparian areas. This habitat supports a wide range of wildlife, including mountain lions, black bears, sage-grouse and trout in the creeks. The Grants have partnered with Game and Fish to implement habitat improvement projects, such as enhancing aspen and mountain shrub communities to benefit wildlife. 

As dedicated ranchers, they practice responsible grazing management, ensuring that riparian areas, wet meadows and uplands remain healthy. Their progressive approach to livestock and land management has maintained high-quality rangelands while also benefiting wildlife. 

Since 1998, the Turtle Rock Ranch has been part of the Private Land, Public Wildlife Program, now called Access Yes. The Grants’ continued support of this program has provided countless hunters with access to private and otherwise inac- cessible public lands. Each year, thousands of hunter days take place on the ranch, providing opportunities that would not exist without their generosity. 

The Grant family has gone above and beyond to support wildlife management, habitat conservation and public hunting access. Their efforts have been critical in the ongoing challenge of elk population control in Area 7. For their unwavering dedication to conservation, land stewardship and community hunting opportunities, the Turtle Rock Ranch is truly deserving of the Landowner of the Year Award.

Jim and his mom, Tiny, operate their family ranch in northwest Crook County focusing primarily on bison alongside some cattle. Their expansive property boasts diverse wildlife habitats including large sections of native shortgrass prairie intermixed with healthy sagebrush. The Bush Ranch is a haven for native species like mule deer, pronghorn, sage grouse and various grassland birds. Intact sagebrush on their land plays a crucial role for sage grouse and helps to maintain genetic connectivity across Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. 

Since 2010, Jim has collaborated closely with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in sage grouse conservation when he first reported a sage grouse lek the department did not have in its database during a critical period of federal bird listing considerations, and at a time when many people did not want to volunteer known locations of sage grouse. The Bush Ranch became pivotal in collecting genetic data from sage grouse leks. 

Beyond data contributions, the Bush Family has actively enhanced sage grouse habitat. They were early participants in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Sage Grouse Initiative program aimed at habitat improvement. Currently, Jim works with multiple agencies to remove encroaching conifers to further their conservation efforts. 

The Bush family, including Jim’s late father, Dean, have always welcomed the department onto the ranch, supporting various activities from hunting access to conservation initiatives. They are known for their hospitality, especially accommodating veterans seeking hunting opportunities. 

Jim’s profound knowledge of the ranch’s landscape and history enriches every visit. His tours highlight historical sites, reflecting his deep connection to the land. His passion for conservation and sustainable land management is evident in the thriving natural ecosystem and wildlife habitats they help maintain. 

The Bush Ranch stands as a testament to Jim’s dedication to preserve his family’s legacy and the ecological integrity of their land. Through collaboration and stewardship, Jim continues to ensure the Bush Ranch remains a haven for wildlife and a model for effective conservation practices on private land in Wyoming. 

The four dedicated landowners are true stewards of more than 9,000 acres along the Big Sandy River from the reservoir to Buckskin Crossing. Their land stewardship exemplifies the balance of ranch operations, wildlife habitats and ecological functions. They have played a pivotal role in the collaborative Big Sandy Restoration Project and have generously granted access to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This project was crucial for the conservation of two native Wyoming fish species — the flannelmouth sucker and the bluehead sucker — both of which are species of concern. The landowners granted access to facilitate fish sampling, hydrological data collection and the removal of nonnative species above Big Sandy Reservoir. These efforts played a crucial role in the department’s understanding of suckers and assuring their persistence. 

In 2020, discussions commenced on a large-scale project to remove nonnative species in a 60-mile stretch of river above Big Sandy Reservoir and its tributaries. This project was the largest of its kind to eliminate nonnative suckers negatively affecting the native suckers, while also salvaging native and sportfish from the system. This ambitious undertaking required extensive coordination and cooperation with landowners and project partners. The landowners played a pivotal role by granting access across their properties and providing insight into terrain conditions. 

Beyond fisheries management, the landowners have demonstrated their commitment to enhancing riparian habitat. In 2021, a large habitat restoration project throughout the Buckskin Crossing Ranch segment of the Big Sandy River was initiated and focused on creating deep-water pools essential for overwintering trout and native suckers. The project's goals were to excavate more than 50 pools, stabilize eroding banks and add natural habitat features like boulders and woody debris. Some of the methods were experimental and, if proven successful, will be considered for future habitat improvement projects further downstream. 

The landowners’ dedication extends to supporting the trout fishery, which is vital for both public enjoyment and ecological health. They bolster trout populations through strategic stocking efforts from approved hatcheries, ensuring consistent productivity despite natural fluctuations in recruitment. By fostering strong partnerships and prioritizing sustainable ranching practices, these landowners have not only preserved a natural resource but also set a standard for responsible land management and conservation. Their collaborative spirit, proactive stewardship and commitment to sustainable ranching practices exemplify the essence of the Landowner of the Year Award. 

Fred and Patricia Hansen have a woven legacy of stewardship and conservation that spans generations. The Hansen Ranch is located in the heart of Albany County, nestled along the Laramie River. The ranch contains a diverse ecosystem from dense aspen groves, juniper stands and vibrant riparian corridors adorned with willows. The property teems with life. 

The Laramie River, Potter Creek and lush irrigated meadows provide essential habitat for a wide array of wildlife from big game species to black bears, blue grouse and songbirds. Notably, the river hosts a thriving wild brown trout fishery. 

Over the years, the Hansens have implemented strategic habitat enhancements to harmoniously support livestock and wildlife. They have fine-tuned grazing practices, modified irrigation techniques and enhanced riparian areas along riverbanks. 

Their conservation efforts date to 1961 when they began partnering with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to establish angler access along the Laramie River. This collaborative effort allowed public access 50 feet above the high-water line and a parking area on Wyoming Highway 10 to provide anglers with recreational opportunities in an otherwise secluded area. 

Their collaboration with Game and Fish has been crucial. The Hansens have generously granted personnel access to monitor big game and nongame species and fisheries. 

Nearly 62 years later, the Hansens ensured their property would be a beacon of conservation and public access for future generations and sold a portion of their ranch bordering the Jelm Wildlife Habitat Management Area to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. This strategic move not only protected critical winter range from future development, but also expanded public access for hunting, fishing and recreation into the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The acquisition solidified nearly 1,000 acres of essential winter range for the region’s mule deer and other big game species.