Landowner of the Year

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!

The Gros Ventre River headwaters drain into a pristine landscape that forms a bridge between the upper Snake and Green Rivers.  This area provides crucial winter range for elk and moose and maintains vital elk and pronghorn migration corridors.   It is here that 990 acres of river-front property are being donated by Former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Herb Kohl,  to the Trust for Public Land. This property will ultimately be turned over to the Bridger Teton National Forest.  This gracious donation is the single largest private inholding in the upper Gros Ventre River drainage. It will benefit wildlife and provide public access in perpetuity.
 
The donated property sits 22 miles up the Gros Ventre River and links the public lands of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the National Elk Refuge and the Gros Ventre Wilderness.  The property has high terrestrial habitat value for a diversity of wildlife.
 
The Gros Ventre River watershed is healthy and supports a strong, native fishery, largely due to a network of smaller streams that contribute flow, riparian vegetation, and channel conditions that benefit aquatic habitat and fisheries quality.
 
Watershed connectivity and protection for riparian areas are important legacies we as humans can leave on aquatic landscapes.  Through his donation, Senator Kohl delivers both.
 
The Department is pleased to nominate Herb Kohl for the Jackson region 2017 Landowner of the Year Award in recognition of his great and lasting contribution to wildlife conservation and public access.

Merlyn and Virginia Ballinger own the Ballinger Rocking R Ranch, located on the North Fork of the Shoshone River 25 miles west of Cody and a small farm south of Powell.

Since the late 1990’s, Merlyn and Virginia have been very active in providing opportunities for disabled hunters on and off their property.  The Rocking R Ranch has provided an excellent opportunity for disabled hunters.  Many physically challenged hunters, including some who are legally blind, have successfully harvested animals on the ranch.  

The Ballinger’s have taken an active interest in resource management education, offering their ranch as an “outdoor classroom” for high school and college students to learn about the real opportunities and challenges of land and wildlife management today in Wyoming.

Merlyn and Virginia’s stewardship of their land doesn’t stop at their fences.  They have truly used their land for the benefit of the community, especially focusing on the personal dimension.  There are many who can say their lives were positively impacted because of the Ballinger’s willingness to use their land for the good of people.

We are proud to have the Ballingers as the 2015 Cody Region Landowner of the Year!

The Garrett Ranch is located 30 miles south of Casper, Wyoming in Natrona County. Pete’s Father (Labon Garrett), Grandfather (Henry Garrett) and Uncle (Adron Garrett), bought the first 2,000 acres of the ranch in 1937. 
 
The Garrett Ranch operation involves the entire family including Pete and Ethel Garrett, their children and grandchildren. Each family has a residence on the ranch and all are actively involved in the daily operations. The ranch family includes their son Steve, his wife Kim and son’s Tyler and Dalton and their daughter Laura and her husband Jack Miles.

The Garrett Ranch has employed numerous stewardship practices on their deeded and leased lands for the long-term benefit of their lands, their livestock operation and wildlife habitats. The Garrett’s have long been enrolled in a rotational grazing system designed in concert with natural resource professionals for the benefit of their rangelands and wildlife habitat. The ranch has implemented three innovative stewardship practices that include utilizing beaver and installing “insta-dams” to restore riparian vegetation and slow erosion within the Bolton Creek watershed, applying Plateau® herbicide and using a naturally occurring soil bacterium to control cheatgrass infestations, and installing several miles of wildlife friendly fences to create smaller livestock pastures.
 
Congratulations to the Garrett Family as the recipients of the 2015 Casper Region Landowner of the Year Award!

The Kaisler’s run a cow-calf operation on private, state and federal lands in southwest Carbon County.  The Kaisler Ranch provides excellent habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, elk, and a multitude of nongame species.  It is not uncommon to see their cattle grazing in their meadows alongside mule deer, white-tailed deer and pronghorn. They ensure adequate forage for wildlife remains during and following their use, and move their livestock to accommodate a wide variety of wildlife species.
 
The entire Kaisler Ranch provides quality habitat for a variety of wildlife.  A portion of their private property has been enrolled in the Access Yes program for 10 years. Their access area is located on the north side of Battle Mountain and permits easy access to thousands of acres for those in pursuit of elk, deer and pronghorn.

Members of the Kaisler family have a wide variety of interests, well beyond a simple focus on maximizing their calf production.  They are very interested in wildlife, and are avid outdoorsman, as well. Fishing and hunting are a large part of the family’s lifestyle.  Often times the Kaisler children can be found fishing alongside their grandparents in the Sierra Madres.
 
Due to the many wildlife, sportsman, and community contributions made by this deserving ranching family, it is with pleasure to designate them as the Green River Region 2015 Landowner of the Year recipient.