Wyoming

Conserving Wildlife, Serving People

For more than a century, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has been looking out for Wyoming's premier wildlife resources. When Wyoming became a state in 1890, wildlife populations had been decimated due to unregulated hunting and trapping. Only about 500 wild bison were left on earth. Elk, mule deer, beaver and other wild creatures were all on the downhill slide. Thanks to far-sighted legislatures and the commitment of our citizens over the years, wildlife numbers have rebounded. We now recognize that Wyoming's wildlife and their habitats are valuable resources, both aesthetically and economically, and need to be managed wisely.

While the department began primarily to enforce hunting laws, its role has expanded dramatically. The Game and Fish is now responsible for more than 800 species of fish and wildlife in the state, only about 100 of which are considered game species. There are many new challenges facing our wildlife: continuing drought; housing; oil; gas and mineral development; invasive species; diseases and much more. But the 400 employees of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, with the help of hunter and angler conservationists, are striving to meet those challenges to keep Wyoming wild.