Landowner of the Year

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. 

Al and Barb Johnson have stewarded the Terry Creek Ranch with a deep commitment to wildlife and conservation in the Centennial Valley. Nestled south of Centennial, their property serves as a vital corridor between the Snowy Range and Sheep Mountain for elk, mule deer and moose during their seasonal migrations in late fall and spring. The ranch’s diverse landscape includes coniferous forests, aspen groves, mixed mountain shrubs, riparian areas and native and introduced hay meadows. It’s also a haven for pronghorn, beavers, mountain lions, black bears, migratory waterfowl and numerous wildlife species throughout the year. 

In recent years, the Johnsons have undertaken significant efforts to make their ranch more wildlife friendly. They’ve replaced nearly all fences with wildlife-friendly designs that minimize barriers to movement, especially along the U.S. Forest Service boundary. This proactive step helps big game animals detect fences more easily, reduces the risk of collisions and improves migration routes. Their commitment to coexistence is evident in their approach to the thriving beaver population on their property, where they’ve willingly embraced strategies to manage and accommodate beavers. 

The devastating Mullen Fire of 2020 left its mark on the Terry Creek Ranch, prompting the Johnsons to focus on restoration efforts. They’ve spearheaded these efforts by conducting grass and forb seedings, managing timber to prevent soil erosion and actively controlling post-fire cheatgrass infestations to restore the landscape’s health. The Johnsons were recognized for their conservation leadership and highlighted in the “My Wildlands” short film. They also engaged with the community through panel discussions, sharing insights with attendees in Laramie on their land management practices and the importance of conservation. 

Their collaborative spirit extends beyond their property lines. They’ve facilitated access for Wyoming Game and Fish Department employees to conduct habitat assessments, retrieve wildlife collars and provide vital management recommendations. They actively promote conservation among their neighbors and advocate for leaving gates open and upgrading to wildlife-friendly fencing standards to facilitate migrations. Together, they recently facilitated a meeting between Game and Fish personnel and neighboring ranch managers to discuss habitat enhancements and conservation easements.

Their decision to place Terry Creek Ranch into a conservation easement ensures its continuity as a crucial wildlife corridor and safeguards the landscape from becoming a subdivision. Their dedication conserves a rich ecosystem and sets a precedent for sustainable land stewardship and community engagement.