Wyoming Game and Fish Department reflects on the top stories of 2023

The Wyoming Game and Fish took a look back on 2023 and shared some of the department’s favorite milestones and stories of the year. 

Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik said he feels very fortunate to lead a team that is passionate about the mission and has the talent and dedication to serve Wyoming and its wildlife.

“Without a doubt, wildlife and their habitat faced many challenges in 2023, and I’m grateful to the public and our partners for supporting our work and wildlife conservation,” he said. 

The following is a look back on some of the highlights of the year with a collection of top stories from 2023 as well as embedded links to the original postings, listed by the Game and Fish Department.

Game and Fish collars more than 1,000 mule deer 

Wildlife managers collared more than 1,000 mule deer from five focal herds located throughout the state as part of a five-year mule deer study. The collars have generated thousands of data points and are already providing valuable information to help wildlife managers make important decisions for mule deer.

Wyoming still free of zebra and quagga mussels

Over the boating season Game and Fish watercraft check stations inspected more than 73,000 boats across the state to protect Wyoming’s waters from invasive aquatic plants and animals. To date the department hasn’t identified zebra mussels in natural waters in Wyoming, nor its municipal systems.

Another year of successful gray wolf management

Game and Fish made a strong commitment to wolves in Wyoming, and the populations are healthy. For the 21st consecutive year wolf numbers have remained above minimum delisting criteria showing that Wyoming’s wolf management plan works.

Fish return to Saratoga Lake

Fisheries biologists in the Laramie Region successfully completed the rebuilding of Saratoga Lake’s fishery. The lake had to be eradicated of all fish in 2022 to remove illegally introduced yellow perch.

Dry Piney wildlife crossing project completed

The Dry Piney wildlife crossing project, led by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Department of Transportation, is now complete and big game animals are actively using the underpasses.

Game and Fish publishes special Wyoming Wildlife on mule deer

The award-winning Wyoming Wildlife magazine published a September special issue on mule deer. The department’s flagship publication educates readers on the challenges mule deer face and the Game and Fish’s immense efforts to improve their overall numbers.

Sublette antelope migration corridor moving toward next steps

Regional wildlife biologists and game wardens in the Pinedale, Jackson and Green River regions are moving forward in the identification process for the Sublette antelope migration corridor. Game and Fish wildlife managers and research partners have collected an unprecedented amount of GPS data from more than 415 individual collared antelope.

The stories listed above are just some of the accomplishments of the Wyoming Game and Fish in the 2023 year. To find more and learn about the Game and Fish, click here.