GILLETTE, Wyo. — This week, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon offered praise for the 18 months of effort put in by the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce to develop recommendations concerning the state’s top-priority wildlife issues.
In the final report released publicly on Sept. 5, the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce summarized 17 recommendations and detailed the processes, methodology and logic that its members used to develop its recommendations.
“I commend and thank the members of the Taskforce for a job well done,” Gordon said in a Sept. 5 statement. “Few issues are more complicated and controversial than the management of Wyoming’s wildlife. Everyone has an interest and everyone has an opinion.”
Gordon said the taskforce did not shy away from license allocations, resident vs. nonresident issues, and bonus points.
“Its recommendations are a result of public input and meaningful deliberation,” Gordon continued. “The final report carries weight and is important for game managers, members of the legislature, and sportspersons to read and consider.”
Taskforce Co-Chair Josh Coursey said he was proud to see the final report released and that the 18 months of labor was held in the highest regard by taskforce members.
“I believe this document will be a valuable tool for wildlife managers, servants within the legislative body, and the public for years to come,” Coursey said in a statement. “The overview of the issues the Taskforce wrestled with are complex and warrant continued engagement by all.”
The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce was created in 2020 with the intent of tackling some of the hunting and angling community’s biggest issues, according to the Wyoming Wildlife Foundation.
Members of the taskforce were announced in January 2021 and pulled from the ranks of Wyoming legislators, government leaders and citizens statewide, per Game and Fish, with the goal of presenting conclusions and recommendations to the Wyoming Legislature, Game and Fish Commission and governor’s office to support decision-making on Wyoming’s wildlife resources.
The report is available to read on the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce’s website.
