WYOGA Events & Activities
Events for WYOGA
Annual Convention
- April 4–6, 2024, Ramkota Hotel, Casper
We cordially invite you to attend the 65th Annual Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association Annual Convention and Big Game Awards Banquet, April 4–6, 2024, in Casper, WY. This three-day event is sure to be a good time.
• Special Guests: Governor Mark Gordon and Jennie Gordon, First Lady of Wyoming
• Keynote Speaker at Banquet: Brian Nesvik, Director, Wyoming Game & Fish Department
We will kick off the event with the general membership meeting on Friday, April 5. The meeting agenda is full of important topics and information that you will not want to miss.
Tentative Agenda
- Thursday, April 4th
3:00pm-5:00pm: First Aid/CPR Course (Tetons Room)
Provided by: American Heart Association ($75 per person)
5:00pm-8:00pm: Vendor setup (Terrace) - Friday, April 5th
8:30am: Snacks & coffee provided on the Terrace; registration, & trade show opens
9:00am-10:30am: General membership meeting
10:30am-11:00am: Morning break sponsored by: P Cross Bar Trophy Hunts
11:00am-12:00pm: Continue with general membership meeting
12:00pm-1:30pm: Lunch (South Ballroom)
1:30pm-2:30pm: Cole Benton & Jim Collins: Big Horn Sheep Presentation
2:30pm-3:00pm: Presenter: Caryn Short, Member Specialist, America Outdoors
3:00pm-3:30pm: Afternoon break sponsored by: Boulder Basin Outfitters
3:30pm-4:00pm: Presenter: Midstate Printers
4:00pm-5:00pm: Election of officers
5:30pm-9:00pm: “Welcome Party” sponsored by: Seven J Outfitters
Outdoor Dream Foundation Awards presentation: Brad Jones
Pack Horse Race: $50 per team (North & Central Ballrooms) - Saturday, April 6 (Wyoming Theater & Terrace)
8:30am: Snacks & coffee provided on the Terrace; registration, & trade show opens
9:00am-10:30am: Presenter: Dr. Kevin Monteith, Mule Deer Presentation
10:30am-11:00am: Morning break sponsored by: Wyldlife Fund
11:00am-11:30am: Wyoming State Board of Outfitters & Professional Guides Roundtable
11:30pm-1:00pm: Lunch/Trade Show (remains open to those who want to stay for banquet)
1:00pm-2:00pm: Caping & Lymph Node Seminar: Presented by J.R. Butler, Deer Creek Taxidermy and Justin Binfet, Wyoming Game & Fish Department - Saturday, April 6 (North & Central Ballrooms)
5:00pm: WYOGA Big Game Awards Banquet. Cocktail party and games (Terrace)
6:00pm-10:00pm: Banquet doors open at 6:00pm
• Keynote Speaker: Brian Nesvik, Director for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department
• Special Guests: Governor Mark Gordon and First Lady, Jennie Gordon
THANK YOU to all our sponsors!
Sleeping rooms have been reserved at the Ramkota Hotel: $84 plus tax per night
Please reference WYOGA for the discount; 307-266-6000
Pics from our 2023 Convention:
For more great pics visit our Instagram page!
Important files:
Economic Value of Outfitted Trips to Conservation Organizations: Summary Charts
Economic Value of Outfitted Trips to Conservation Organizations: Full Report
Reports on the economic impact of big game hunting on Wyoming
Reports commissioned by the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association and its partners, and produced by Southwick Associates:
Our partners in producing the economic impact studies:
- Cody Country Outfitters & Guides Association
- Dubois Outfitters & Guides Association
- Jackson Hole Outfitters & Guides Association
- Jim Conrad
- Lake Superior SCI Chapter
- NE Michigan SCI Chapter
- Realtree
- Safari Club International
- Sublette County Outfitters & Guides Association
- Wyoming Office of Tourism
- Wyoming County Commissioner’s Association
- Wyoming Stock Growers Association
- Wyoming Game & Fish Commission
- Wyoming Game Wardens Association
- Wyoming Hunter Defense Fund
Hunting Story Contest Winners
Hunter of the Year Awards
- Hunter of the Year 2023: Kurt Packingham
- Hunter of the Year 2022: Bill Young
- Hunter of the Year 2021: Craig Cooper
- Hunter of the Year 2020: Zach Stinson
- Hunter of the Year 2019: Kevin Henning
- Hunter of the Year 2018: Jerry Arends
- Hunter of the Year 2017: William “Bill” Hoffman
- Hunter of the Year 2016: Robert “Bob” McCormick
- Hunter of the Year 2015: Stanley S. McGowen
Agency Personnel Awards
• Agency Personnel Award for 2023:
Peter Dube
Wyoming Game & Fish Commission
Past WYOGA President
• Agency Personnel Award for 2022:
Jennifer Doering
Wyoming Game & Fish License Section Manager
• Agency Personnel Award for 2021:
David Rael
Wyoming Game & Fish Department Commissioner
• Agency Personnel Award for 2020:
John Boretsky
SCI, Guide Liaison
• Agency Personnel Award for 2019:
Matt Mead
former Governor of Wyoming
• Agency Personnel Award for 2018:
Biff Burton
Saratoga Game Warden
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
• Agency Personnel Award for 2017:
Scott Talbott
Director
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
• Agency Personnel Award for 2016:
Jean Cole
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
• Agency Personnel Award for 2015:
Cindy Stein
Bridger-Teton National Forest
• Agency Personnel Award for 2014:
Bill Long
Wyoming Wetland Society
• Agency Personnel Award for 2013:
Scott Edberg
Assistant Chief, Wildlife Division
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
• Agency Personnel Award for 2012:
Tim Fuchs
Jackson Region Wildlife Supervisor
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
Jacque Buchanan
Bridger-Teton Forest Supervisor
• Agency Personnel Award for 2011:
Amanda McKee, Administrator
Wyoming State Board of Outfitters & Professional Guides
Kevin Hurley
Statewide Bighorn Sheep Program Coordinator
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
• Agency Personnel Award for 2010:
Mark Bruscino
Bear Management Program Supervisor
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
Daryl Lutz
Casper Region Biologist Supervisor
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
• Agency Personnel Award for 2009:
Gary Fralick
Wildlife Biologist and Survey Coordinator
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
• Agency Personnel Award for 2008:
Brian Nesvik
South Pinedale Game Warden
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
Patti Schwind
Outfitter and Guide Permit Administrator
US Forest Service
Doug Brimeyer
Wildlife Biologist, Jackson Region
Wyoming Game & Fish Department