2019 Annual Convention | WYOGA’s 60th Anniversary
April 4–6, 2019 at the Ramkota, Casper, WY

Sleeping rooms have been reserved at the Ramkota Hotel.  $77.00 plus tax per night. 
Please reference WYOGA for the discount. 307.266.6000

Registration Deadline by April 1st.

Tentative Convention Agenda & Registration available on the
WYOGA website at wyoga.org
or email Laurie at gro.agoyw@agoyw

The Wyoming Legislature adjourned sin dine just after 1:00 AM on February 28.  WYOGA had a successful session despite losing some of our greatest legislative champions and new Chairman and committee composition in the House and Senate Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committees.

On the grizzly front the Legislature put into statute that Wyoming will have a grizzly hunt and also passed a resolution directing Congress to take action to restore state control of management. These two actions are part of a three pronged strategy for the state to address grizzly management.

Two pieces of legislation developed over the interim, Board of Outfitters area authorization and civil fining authority were defeated by the Senate.

We worked hand in hand with other stakeholders to give the Game and Fish Commission the authority to regulate shed antler hunting in much of Wyoming and also the ability to regulate emerging technologies and the sale of wildlife coordinates.

On the tax front we had major wins defeating an attempt to remove outfitting’s sales tax exemption and a statewide 5 percent lodging tax. These new taxes would be on top of any state and local taxes already assessed. We also beat an attempt to remove the back county exemption for lodging tax with the rallying cry of “don’t tax, spike camp!”

It has been a pleasure working on your behalf in the Capitol, looking forward to seeing you at the Spring Convention in Casper.

The governor has appointed Brian Nesvik as the next director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Nesvik replaces Scott Talbott, who has retired. 

“Brian Nesvik brings tremendous experience in dealing with wildlife management, endangered species and law enforcement throughout the state,” Governor Gordon said. 

“I am incredibly honored by this opportunity to lead a team of the best and brightest in managing world-class natural resources for the citizens of our great State,” Nesvik said. “I am grateful for the Governor’s appointment and will discharge my duties commensurate with the tremendous value Wyoming places in our outdoors, our fish and our wildlife.” 

Governor Gordon added, “Scott Talbott provided excellent leadership and service to this state as director, and in the decades he worked on behalf of wildlife and the public in many other roles. Scott’s commitment to and knowledge of hunting, fishing, the wildlife laws and each of Wyoming species is hard to match.” 

Nesvik currently serves as the chief of the Wildlife Division for Wyoming Game and Fish. Nesvik’s 24 years with the department have included stints as game warden throughout the state of Wyoming, regional wildlife supervisor in the Cody region and chief of the wildlife division. Nesvik served as District Game Warden in Elk Mountain for seven years before being selected for the South Pinedale Game Warden District in western Wyoming. Nesvik also took on responsibility as the department’s lead mounted horse patrol instructor. In 2010, Nesvik was promoted to serve as the Cody Regional Wildlife Supervisor charged with overseeing a large staff of game wardens, biologists and administrative folks. Additionally, Nesvik spent time working with biologists and wardens in some of the most remote country in the lower 48 states. After a short ten months, Nesvik was appointed to serve as Wyoming’s Chief Game Warden and Chief of the Wildlife Division in 2011. Additionally, Nesvik has served in the Wyoming Army National Guard since 1986. He currently serves as the Commanding General of the Wyoming Army National Guard and the Assistant Adjutant General holding the rank of Brigadier General. Nesvik has commanded Wyoming units on two combat tours to Iraq and Kuwait. Nesvik was one of the three names submitted to the governor for consideration by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. The finalists were Nesvik; Gary Bertellotti, regional supervisor for Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Great Falls, Montana; and David Morrison, small game program director Texas Parks and Wildlife in Austin, Texas.

Big Game Awards packets were mailed last month. Deadline to submit your entries is April 1st. Please mail or email to the WYOGA at gro.agoyw@agoyw.

If you need additional information, please email Laurie at gro.agoyw@agoyw and she will get you the information.