Landowner of the Year

The Gates Family, the A-A Ranch (Lissa and Justin Howe and Benjy Duke), and Big Creek Ranch (Mark Dunning) have been an integral partner in managing the aquatic and terrestrial resources in the Platte Valley for many decades. Their conservation ethic and proper land management benefit their operations and provides healthy habitats for wildlife. Their attention to detail for riparian conditions, stream habitat, stream flow, fish passage and water temperatures have allowed them to properly conserve and protect the wild fisheries on their properties.  
 
The Big Creek and A-A Ranches are located in extremely important terrestrial wildlife habitats in the Platte Valley. These habitats include critical ranges for mule deer, bighorn sheep, and sage grouse. Mark Dunning has not only been supportive of the Platte Valley Mule Deer Initiative as the Big Creek Ranch Manager, but has also been active in identifying and participating in large-scale habitat projects with the Platte Valley Habitat Partnership.

It is fair to say it would be extremely difficult to manage wildlife in the upper North Platte River valley without the cooperation of these ranches. The ability of these ranches to continue to balance the dynamic needs of wildlife and fisheries, while operating a successful livestock and guest ranch operations, is nothing short of amazing.

The Bitterroot Ranch is a 2,150 acre ranch split between locations near Dubois and Riverton.  Bayard Fox, his wife Mel, along with their son Richard and daughter- in-law Hadley operate this unique ranch that blends a working cattle ranch and dude ranch that provides important wildlife habitat and world class horse riding experiences for their guests.  Their ranch provides excellent habitat for Yellowstone cutthroat trout, pronghorn, mule deer, elk, moose, waterfowl, and other wildlife.  Grizzly bears and wolves also frequent the Dubois ranch.
 
Since 1971, Bayard and family have been operating the Bitterroot Ranch as a working guest ranch giving people from around the World a unique experience participating in cattle drives and the work involved in western ranching. 
 
The East Fork that flows through their property and adjoining lands support a robust population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout along with other species such as mountain whitefish.  Over the past 6 years, Bitterroot Ranch has been very engaged and active improving aquatic habitats to support this important fishery. 
 
Once autumn’s colors disappear and the Ranch’s cattle and horse herds have been rounded-up from the Dubois country, they head to 1,522 acres near Pavillion that provides the forage needed during the cold winter months to sustain the herds.  This low land ground also provides a smorgasbord for pronghorn, mule deer, and waterfowl throughout the calendar year with irrigated hay fields, wet meadows, and wetland areas.
 
Bitterroot Ranch’s dedication to sustain quality wildlife and fisheries habitat, their cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and their overall love of wildlife and open spaces proves they are well deserving of this award.

The Fayette Ranch is comprised of over 14,000 acres of irrigated agricultural lands, sagebrush uplands and open space located directly east of Pinedale. The Ranch contains important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including mule deer, moose, elk, pronghorn, sage grouse, waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. The Fayette Ranch’s cattle operation employs methods that help maintain fish and wildlife habitat. Mr. Wolaver along with the owner, Richard Boelte, has long partnered with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in wildlife management efforts.
 
A permanent public access easement through the Fayette Ranch to the Half Moon Wildlife Habitat Management  Area provides hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities at Half Moon Mountain and Little Half Moon Lake. This area is frequently visited by the public to witness the renowned Red Desert to Hoback mule deer migration.
 
 The Fayette Ranch has allowed the Department to construct and maintain a permanent fish trap on their property along Meadow Creek at Meadow Lake for grayling spawning operations for over 40 years. Mr. Wolaver and the Ranch allow Department personnel to set up a base camp for several weeks each spring on their property which includes boat, camper and equipment storage. This permission allows personnel to intensely monitor grayling spawning operations which remain so critical to not only Wyoming but other surrounding states.
 
Mr. Wolaver and his family are active in the community, avid sportspersons, and regularly participate in agricultural organizations. They are a respected and honored part of the community and we are pleased to nominate Roy Wolaver for the Pinedale Region Landowner/Manager of the Year.

Jason and Maureen operate their family ranch along the banks of Bitter Creek in northwest Campbell County, near the Montana state line.  The Oedekoven’s have always viewed conservation as a staple of ranch management, and it is apparent if you have stepped foot on their ranch. 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 alike.
 
The Oedekoven’s not only are dedicated to practicing conservation stewardship on their ranch, but they have always been huge advocates for conservation in the community. Jason served on the Campbell County Conservation District Board of Supervisors from 2008 to 2012. During that time, Jason learned about the wide array of conversation programs that different natural resource land management agencies had available for private landowners and spread the word to all of his neighbors. Many terrific conservation projects have come about at as a result of Jason putting in a good word for conservation. 
 
Jason and Maureen are highly deserving of this award, not only for the conservation actions that they practice on their ranch, but also for their dedication to spreading the word to their fellow neighbors. They have been terrific partners in spreading the word of conservation in northern Campbell County.

The Siggins family first homesteaded on the South Fork of the Shoshone River in 1914; the family living in tents until the house was built.  Today Alan and Deanna run a cattle operation on the approximately 1,050 acre ranch.  Tucked along the Shoshone River, the ranch is home to numerous species of wildlife including elk, deer, antelope, gray wolves, and grizzly bears.  Alan is the third generation of Siggins to call the South Fork home.
 
Alan and Deanna are welcoming to hunters. They provide hunting opportunities on their hay
meadows for both elk and deer.  Every fall as hundreds of mule deer migrate from western Wyoming to their winter range on the South Fork Valley, the Siggins family allows sportsmen to pass through their land to access thousands of acres of National Forest. Year after year when hunters ask the Siggins family for permission, they willingly allow hunters access to prime hunting country.
 
Throughout the years, the Siggins family has always had a great working relationship with the Department. They are friendly, inviting people who have maintained the traditional ranching way of life in northwest Wyoming and are highly respected in the community. With a lifetime contribution to ranching and sportsmen, Alan and Deanna Siggins are worthy of the honor and recognition of the Cody Region Landowner of the Year award.

Alfred and Shirley Thoman operated the ranch 20 miles west of Kemmerer that has been in the Thoman family for nearly 100 years. With the ranch situated in the important big game winter range along US Highway 30 near Nugget Canyon, Thomans made a living raising sheep, dairy cows, horses, and hay. They had seven children while working on their ranch.
 
Al passed on in November of 2017 after a brief bout with pneumonia, leaving Shirley and surviving children to maintain the property.
In 2003, Al and Shirley worked with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to develop an agreement that would allow public access for hunting, provide forage for big game on the critical winter range, reduce damage to crops, and compensate the Thomans for some of the feed that they provided for wildlife on their private property.
 
Public access for sage grouse and antelope was secured during any open seasons.  Access for other big game species was left to the Thomans discretion. They have been very liberal in allowing access for deer, elk and moose hunting that supported Department objectives and hunting seasons.
Al and Shirley always commented on how much they enjoyed seeing the wildlife.  They have been great partners with the Department, and have benefited the wildlife that winter on and migrate through their operation.  Al will be missed greatly, and we wish Shirley the best on her road forward.

The Ucross Ranch is located near Clearmont, WY.  Most of the ranch is owned by the Ucross Foundation and portions by Apache Corporation.  The Apache Foundation, a non-profit subsidiary of the Apache Corporation, has leased and managed the Ucross Ranch since 2005 as a model for profitable and sustainable land-use management practices. Nathan Lindsey, Conservation and Stewardship Manager for Apache Foundation ,along with seasonal workers, operate the ranch.

Among the sustainable land-use practices utilized is an approach for grazing where managers use a short duration rotation strategy to maximize the amount of time grasses can grow and build root reserves before being grazed again.  This strategy has reduced bare ground on rangelands from an average of about 50 percent to less than two percent.  Streambank stability along Clear and Piney creeks has also improved greatly, while the sustainable stocking rate for cattle has nearly tripled.
 
From 2012 to 2016, the Ucross Ranch and the Department worked together on diversions along Piney Creek to make them more hospitable to fish.  An impediment to fish movements was replaced with a ramped structure that functions like a natural riffle, allowing fish to swim upstream, and provides areas where fish can rest.
 
Congratulations to Nathan Lindsey and the numerous partners the Apache Foundation works with for making the management and conservation efforts of the Ucross Ranch so successful!

The Killebrew Ranch, owned by Howard and Princess Killebrew, is a true multi-generation, family cattle ranch producing black angus cattle in Fremont County.  Howard and Princess’ son David manages much of the on-the-ground operation, while daughter Kimberly coordinates many of the critical behind the scenes duties.  As a family ranch, David’s and Kimberly’s spouses and children contribute significantly to ranch operations. 
 
The Killebrews own substantial land holdings on Table Mountain, south of Lander.  This area provides important habitats for a host of wildlife, but most importantly it provides crucial winter range for mule deer and nesting and brood-rearing habitat for sage grouse. 
 
The Department has worked collaboratively with the Killebrews over the past three years to develop a conservation easement on Table Mountain to permanently protect this valuable wildlife habitat. 
 
In addition to the Table Mountain conservation easement, the Killebrews have donated an access easement on Table Mountain.  This will allow big game hunting access on the property and adjoining public lands—in perpetuity.
 
The Killebrews, who are all avid sportspersons, truly care about the wildlife resource and understand the importance of land stewardship and wildlife habitat conservation.  It is with great admiration we present the Killebrews the 2017 Lander region landowner of the year award!

The Taylors own the Lonetree Ranch, in southern Uinta County.  Dr. Robert Taylor, his wife Maggie Taylor, along with their daughter Marrisa Taylor, and son in- law/ranch manager Zac Schofield, run the day to day operations on the ranch. Their goal is to have an economically-viable working ranch, and to enhance the health of the land and water systems. The ranch sits in the Henrys Fork River Valley and is home to hundreds of acres of lush, productive bottomlands, providing high quality habitat for moose, sage grouse, pronghorn, mule deer, elk, aquatic wildlife, and a multitude of nongame species. 
 
In 2011 the Lonetree Ranch became certified by the USDA under the National Organic Program.  As comprehensive as that is, no single certification considers every aspect of the ranch’s process.  The Taylors are constantly assembling their own mix of best practices, using progressive and age old conservation practices—from weed eating cashmere goats to a highly detailed NRCS Conservation Plan. 
 
The Taylors are actively engaged in the community and strive to be good neighbors.  They have worked cooperatively with many neighboring landowners, organizations, and agencies.  Due to the Taylor’s ranching techniques that help sustain quality wildlife and fisheries habitat, cooperation with the Department, and their overall love of wildlife, they are well deserving of this award.

Sam Shoultz and  Ken Matzner have operated the Mule Creek Ranch in northern Albany County for almost 20 years. Sadly, Ken passed away in 2016. The ranch is home to several big game species, sage and  blue grouse, mountain lion, black bear, bobcat, and numerous other game and non-game species.

Sam and Ken have always welcomed the Department’s presence on the property. Through the years, Sam and Ken have been welcoming— offering a smile, a handshake, a cup of coffee, or a great lunchtime meal.   For nearly 20 years, Sam and Ken have also welcomed friends, family, and respectful sportsmen.   

In 2010, the Mule Creek Ranch launched a series of habitat enhancement projects.  Small prescribed burns and aspen regeneration projects were completed throughout the ranch.   

Shoultz and Matzner place an emphasis on public access to hunting. In 2015, they worked with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Department to provide elk hunting opportunity. In the last two years, over 400 permission slips have been given for access to elk hunters with Area 7 licenses.  

Due to Sam’s and Ken’s love for Wyoming’s wildlife, passion for hunting, creation of hunting access to the ranch, and their strong, long-term relationship with the Department, it is our honor to award them the 2017 Laramie Region Landowner of the Year.

The Trout Creek Ranch owned by Robert Keith is nestled in the Wapiti Valley between Cody and Yellowstone National Park.  Corey and Renae Williams manage the ranch. Trout Creek, a blue ribbon fishery for rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, meanders four miles through the ranch, providing incredible wildlife habitat. 
 
Trout Creek Ranch is known for their breeding, training, showing, and sale of quality quarter horses as well as using them for ranch work.
 
Four separate diversions in Trout Creek irrigate lower elevation fields for high quality grazing and crop production.  The ranch demonstrates an understanding of wildlife and habitat and incorporates that into ranch management. 
 
When stream levels run low in late summer or during drought, the ranch foregoes irrigation of some fields to ensure enough water remains in the stream for aquatic life.  They constantly monitor their resources and adjust accordingly.
 
Trout Creek Ranch exemplifies the level of land and aquatic stewardship, and concern for wildlife and their habitat that the Department is proud to recognize.

True Ranches has a long and rich history in Wyoming, beginning with its purchase of the Double Four in Albany County by Dave and Jean True in 1957.  True Ranches has grown to 7 ranches, two farms and one feedlot, employing approximately 90 people. 
 
In addition to providing beef products for people around the world, True Ranches, take the responsibility of being good stewards of natural resources very seriously. According to Dave True, “being a multi- generational family organization, protecting and enhancing the land, water and wildlife resources are an overarching mission for True Ranches.”
 
True Ranches allows hunting access on all of their ranches throughout the state. They have enrolled thousands of acres of their private lands in the Department’s Access Yes program for big game hunting.
 
True Ranches continues to cooperate with the Department to proactively manage their LAK property southeast of Newcastle in order to improve bighorn sheep habitat and provide hunting and viewing access to this isolated population of bighorns.
 
Wyoming hosts an abundance of natural resources which allow for quality hunting and fishing opportunities. Our state is known for its strong ranching heritage and supply of agricultural products. The True Ranches unites these two important values in our state by supporting wildlife populations and allowing hunting and fishing access while maintaining their working ranch heritage.
 
Congratulations to True Ranches as the recipient of the 2017 Casper Region Landowner of the Year Award!