Landowner of the Year

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.

The Beaver Creek Ranch sits in one of two primary watersheds including Beaver Creek and Bear Creek which flow westerly from the Bighorn Mountains into the Bighorn River. This stream serves as one of only a few perennial water sources in roughly 150 square miles of low elevation sagebrush steppe and saltbush habitats restricted by an 11 inch precipitation zone. The function of these streams is integral to the conservation of wildlife in this area which includes roughly 300 pronghorn antelope, thousands of migratory and resident mule deer, 1000 elk and an isolated sage grouse population.

As a former board member for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the McCormick family took it upon themselves to enroll the ranch in an RMEF conservation easement. This dedication to wildlife was felt most from 2020-21 when the Bighorn Basin experienced extreme drought conditions, exacerbating stress on wildlife.

In 2019 Deb was approached by department biologists with the interest in enhancing riparian habitat through the removal of conifers. Deb gave the department and its staff the opportunity to exercise our best management practices to enrich valuable wildlife habitats. Since 2020 roughly 140 acres have been treated and signs of improvement have already been detected. Beavers have returned to the Beaver Creek Ranch and are assisting in the improvement of habitat.