CASPER-After nearly four decades of service to the people and wildlife of Wyoming, Brian Olsen, Regional Wildlife Supervisor for the Casper Region, has announced his retirement. A fixture within the Wyoming Game and Fish Department since 1988, Olsen leaves behind a career defined by what he often called his “childhood dream job” and a legendary ability to build relationships over countless cups of coffee.

Olsen began his career with Game and Fish in 1988 in Sheridan, shortly after earning his bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University. He first served as a Special Enforcement Officer in Sheridan before moving to Alpine as an Interpretive Specialist. Early in his career, his talent for communication quickly became one of his defining strengths. From 1988 to 1994, he played a key role in the groundbreaking “Wyoming’s Wildlife - Worth the Watching” campaign, an initiative that broadened the state’s focus to include non-game species and wildlife viewing opportunities.

In 1994, Brian moved to Casper, a community he would proudly call home for the next 32 years. Following the retirement of longtime Wyoming Game and Fish spokesman Dick Keeney, Brian stepped into the role and carried on Dick’s legacy as a trusted voice for Wyoming’s Great Outdoors for several years. In 2001, Brian became the Casper and Sheridan Regions Private Lands/Public Wildlife Coordinator, a position he often described as the most rewarding and meaningful work of his career with the Department. In 2011, he was promoted to Regional Wildlife Supervisor.

Having lived and worked in Casper for more than three decades, Olsen is as likely to be recognized at the grocery store or local gas station as he is in the field. His retirement marks the end of an era for the Casper Region, where his deep institutional knowledge and genuine rapport with the community have made him an invaluable asset.

“Brian has never shied away from the ‘public’ part of public service,” said Dan Smith, Wildlife Division Chief for Game and Fish. “He has likely shared more landowner coffee than anyone in Department history, and those kitchen-table conversations have created long-term benefits for wildlife access across the state.”

“Brian’s career is the gold standard for what it means to be a public servant in Wyoming,” noted Janet Milek, Game Fish public information specialist. “He didn’t just manage wildlife; he managed the relationships that make wildlife management possible.”

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department invites the public to join in thanking Brian for his 38 years of dedicated service. While he may be hanging up his uniform, his impact on the landscapes, wildlife, and people of the Casper Region will be felt for generations to come.

An open house will be held at the Casper Regional Game and Fish office on his final day, June 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for anyone wishing to express their appreciation and offer their best wishes.

Career Highlights

• Helping Shape “Worth the Watching” — Early in his career, Brian played a key role in helping shift the conversation around Wyoming wildlife, encouraging residents and visitors alike to appreciate all species — from iconic big game animals to the smallest songbirds — as important parts of Wyoming’s outdoor heritage.

• A Trusted Presence in the Field — Whether investigating complex poaching cases, including a high-profile pronghorn case in the Casper area, or educating the public on responsible waterway use, Brian became known as a steady and trusted presence among local communities, law enforcement partners, and conservationists. His calm approach and ability to connect with people earned him respect across the state.

• Building Relationships and Expanding Public Access — Guided by his belief that “relationships are the bedrock of conservation,” Brian played a major role in expanding the Walk-In Access and Hunter Management Area programs throughout the Casper and Sheridan regions. He was also involved in developing and supporting several permanent and long-term access agreements. Through strong partnerships and mutual respect with landowners, conservation groups, and other partners, he helped secure thousands of acres of public hunting and fishing access for Wyoming residents and visitors alike.

• Recognized for Leadership and Service — Throughout his career, Brian earned the respect of peers and coworkers through his dedication to both the Department and the people it serves. He received multiple Peer Recognition nominations, was named Educator of the Year by the Murie Audubon Society, and served as Personnel Council President, where he advocated for employees working on the front lines of Wyoming’s outdoors.

• Lasting Friendships Across Wyoming — Brian rarely met a landowner he couldn’t relate to or a ranching story he didn’t enjoy hearing. Over the years, he built long-lasting friendships with many of Wyoming’s most respected stewards of the land. He often jokes that retirement may keep him busier than ever, with countless visits still owed to friends across central and eastern Wyoming.