Brian Nesvik’s record of failure leading the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is a precursor for how he would run the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Our public wildlife, lands, waters and everyone who cherishes these incredible resources will pay the price.
Opinion
Nesvik served as Game and Fish director from 2019 to 2024. Throughout that time he oversaw disease spread among big game including deer and elk, disgraceful treatment of wolves and a stained image of our state in the eyes of people around the world who value wildlife and wildlands. Now as Trump’s pick to run Fish and Wildlife, Nesvik would bring his record to the nation.
He oversaw a state agency that conducted reviews of the 21 elk feedgrounds throughout northwestern Wyoming. These draw in hundreds of elk each winter, where they concentrate the large ungulates as they’re fed hay or alfalfa pellets in a policy that can only be described as backwards. That’s because concentrating animals creates a breeding ground for wildlife diseases. Yet year after year under Nesvik’s leadership, his agency did nothing to phase out the feeding.
We’re now seeing the results in that failure of leadership. Two years ago, half of the elk calves on the Horse Creek feedground near Hoback Junction died of foot rot. And now, always-fatal chronic wasting disease is rapidly spreading on four feedgrounds in Wyoming. And these feedgrounds are also prone to spreading numerous other diseases, including brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis and scabies.
Not only has this policy been wrongheaded — it’s also been expensive for American taxpayers. Federal and state governments have spent millions on feed and disease testing as well as an incinerator to deal with elk carcasses there.
This policy also shows a gross contradiction in policy for the state of Wyoming. In other areas of the state, Wyoming is paying ranchers $30 an animal unit month for elk that are on their land, under the claim that the animals are overpopulated. But those same ranchers are getting grass on public lands for a mere $1.35 an AUM. And Wyoming Game and Fish is culling elk in some of these areas, a disgraceful move that reduces public hunting opportunities.
Speaking of disgraceful, just look at the treatment of wolves in Wyoming. The state under Nesvik works to manage for the absolute bare minimum number, with a “predator zone” allowing wolves to be killed year-round, by nearly any means. That attitude is what led to a wolf being run over by a snowmobile last year, and tortured alive in a bar in Daniel before it was taken behind the building and finally killed. Nesvik called this an isolated incident, but in truth Wyoming allows people to run over wolves with snowmobiles without consequences..
As if Nesvik’s record on wildlife wasn’t abhorrent enough, we also know that he places the interests of the oil and gas industry above our public lands — despite overwhelming support for the conservation of public lands among Wyomingites. During the Biden administration, Nesvik railed against bans on oil and gas leasing on federal land, claiming “restricting mineral development does not serve the best interests of Wyoming wildlife.” Nesvik asserts that oil and gas lessees are critical partners in mitigating impacts to wildlife, but we know that rarely does the industry’s interests overlap with the best interests of wildlife.
Nesvik touts his record as a success, but we see abject failure. Every decision has been meant to cater to outfitters who sell trophies and ranchers who graze livestock on public lands. Everyone else — those who love Wyoming’s wildlife and wildlands, hunters, anglers, hikers — has paid a price. It’s no model for wildlife nationwide.
Of course she lives in Jackson. There are a lot of factors that are blamed on WY Game and Fish whereas many issues were created by mismanagement in neighboring states. Diseases crossed the borders into WY from adjoining states who failed to manage their wildlife problems with CWD and whirling disease. Feeding elk in the winter has been ongoing before Nesvik was born. Issues have been present since then as well as the ongoing argument of feeding them or allowing them to starve. USFW and BLM as well as special interest groups have constantly used courts to push radical changes that upset the natural balance between wildlife and the landowners in the state. Sierra Club has really done very little to improve shortcomings of wildlife management in the great state of Wyoming. WGF has really done an outstanding job working to balance the delicate relationship between landowners, citizens and wildlife in Wyoming. Wyoming has diversity and challenges that are unlike any other state. Addressing those challenges with limited funding an extremely daunting task. Brian actually did a great job because of his previous position as a warden with boots on the ground and the relationships he established as a warden, district supervisor and Chief Game Warden Wildlife Division, then finally Director of Wyoming Game Fish. He didn’t get there by making bad decisions and having a do nothing attitude. His appointment is a great move that will help the protect the vast natural wild resources of our nation.
Here we go again with Trump destroying our nation’s inheritance for future generations being blatantly destroyed. Obviously, money doesn’t reward common sense and intelligence in caring for our lands which wildlife depends on with our God-given responsibility if caring for them.
K Y Yates opinion regarding Nesvik’s leadership of the Wyoming Fish and Game appears written directly out of the Sierra Club’s far left playbook. Obviously the feeding grounds are controversial and not a perfect solution to starving big game herds, especially elk. Unfortunately humans, and that includes the author of the article who resides in critical winter habitat for many large wildlife animals, create the problem by upsurping habitats grounds traditionally used by these animals, prior to development after 1850. THe author’s two fisted swing at agricultural production, cattle ranching, is no fault of Nesvik’s supervision. Grazing allotments, contracts, and rights are controlled primarily by the USFS and BLM, both federal agencies, not state of WY. The Sierra Club will never abandon their misguided assault on ranching families and those agricultural endeavors while pushing back from the dinner table with full stomachs. Inviting tens of thousands of visitors to the state each year to view the spectacular wildlife would result in wasted financial resources if there were little or no wildlife animals to view. Meanwhile the oil and gas gas and coal mining activities repair and pave Wyoming roads, provide energy to construct EVERY vehicle running up and down the roadways, allow for educational and infrastructure funding while keeping state taxing of individuals in check. Honest and fairly written articles, by Journalists who value and exhibit integrity, is sorely lacking. Well fed, well dressed, entitled journalists just aren’t.
AMEN! Brian Nesvek and others like him his who Wyoming needs. These people complaining about our environment are the ones building their million dollar homes on the land that the wild animals roam. “Good for me,not for you”
Usual wyofile leftist hit piece
When does his nomination come up for a vote in Congress? His position is decided by the Senate, right? The most we can do is contact our individual senators beforehand and ask them to vote no but I need the timetable and personally will can my North Carolina senators a week before. They won’t listen and I’m just one but if everyone does this maybe we’ll salvage a little from this disaster
He actually reduced the number of feed grounds. You painting the picture that he deliberately created policy to infect animals is abhorrent. Also, any person born and raised in Wyoming would know by your comments that you are #1 from Jackson and #2 affiliated with the Sierra Club. No surprises.
What do you expect. Sounds like he went againest every Biden policy maybe to get a job with Trump. That’s what Trump wants. Also let’s not forget Kristi Noem head of Homeland Security who did the dog thing but that’s nothing compared to killing thousands of animals. (Fox,Skunk and mainly RACCOONs) so hunters in her state could hunt more Ring Necked Pheasants. Since when is a Raccoon a predator. Joke. Since when is a Animal that eats eggs a predator. Also the real Joke is Ring Necked Pheasants were never native to the USA. By the way 16 year old kids were allowed to trap animals for I think 10 dollars a kill for providing I think their tail
Hey he’s a way better pick then some bunny hugging woke idealogy person that they really want in charge to fuck the hunters and fisherman, and trappers. Vote him in.
“…he oversaw disease spread among big game including deer and elk, disgraceful treatment of wolves and a stained image of our state in the eyes of people around the world who value wildlife and wildlands.”
Oh, please. I doubt Nesvic oversaw any such thing, which is to suggest he managed the intentional spread of disease. Instead, I suspect he was faced with trying to find middle ground among competing problems. The winter of 22-23 was particularly ferocious and saw stunning levels of mortality among ungulates in many parts of the state. Game and Fish oversaw a program discouraging any feeding of deer populations with the result of near 100% mortality of fawns in places. Utah game and fish got far better results with some feeding. Yes, feeding presents the likelihood of spreading disease, but one has to admit there are conflicting concerrns here.
With respect to concerns for wildlife and the environment, environmental groups are pro-renewable energy apparently without the slightest concern of the costs. 700 foot tall windturbines, two to the square miles over thousands of square miles of southeastern Wyoming are going to alter natural landscapes completely. These huge turbines will dominate distant scenes of mountains and valleys for 25 miles or more, spoiling the natural vistas that visitors and natives to this state value. They are a definite hazard to birds protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (1940) and the Migratory Bird Treat Act (1916). Go read the EA for the Two Rivers Wind Plant and note the stunning mortality estimates for eagles. And all of this is being sacrificing for energy produced not reliably by wind, which has to be backed up by coal and gas in perpetuity, or at least until nuclear can get its act together. Moreover, the so called annual savings in CO2 emissions that wind energy represents, will be replaced in some instances in less than a day by new Chinese and Indian plants. Yet, the Sierra Club approves of this. Environmentalists do not have a sterling record themselves.
I would classify this whole article as a personal attack by someone who represents a group whose agenda is suspect. What are Ms Yates qualifications to be an expert on this subject. Never believe everything you read or hear without doing your own research into the subject.
This predators are wonderful is actually a anti hunter movement. These people would ban hunting tomorrow if they could.
He is not the right one for the job
I see that “personal attacks” are not allowed in comments, I guess that is something reserved for original articles like this one?
I am ignorant on the issue, as are 98% of people who repeat what they heard yesterday, however, hit pieces like this one, do help me at least get an idea of whether good cold hard facts are available or if personal attacks are instead the best one’s position can provide.
Mr. Ginter introduces a red – perhaps gray – herring. While the notion is beloved in parts of our ranching community, the idea that the wrong wolf was introduced into Yellowstone is nonsense.
The following is from Yellowstone Wolves – Science and Discovery in the World’s First National Park by Doug Smith and colleagues (2020). “The commonly heard anti-wolf rally cry claiming that the government introduced a non-native, “larger, more aggressive Canadian” wolf to Yellowstone has no biological basis.” Anti-wolf proponents, such as Mr. Ginter, took the biological squabble about wolf sub-species, and run with it. It is one of those alternative facts.
If it wasn’t this, it would be something else. Such as, all Canadian wolves end their howls with the annoyingly interrogative “-eh?.”
Any excuse to exterminate wolves a second time will serve.
The NATIVE nubilus subspecies still existed in small numbers when occindentalis was transplanted from 1000 miles away Mr. O’toole. Had the nubilus subspecies from Minnesota been added to boost the numbers, I would have no argument. BUT, that didnt happen did it?
The elk and moose populations of the GYE have been decimated by invasive wolves and unchecked grizzly numbers. That has affected literally thousands of families like mine that rely on elk every year to feed them.
This year where thousands of tags were once issued in the Teton region areas 75 and 79, 20 will be available. Yes 20.
That reduction in the number of elk is flat out CRIMINAL. And the wolves and the over populated grizzlies are THE cause.
“Elk populations have been decimated”???
Wyoming Game and Fish says there were just over 100K elk in 95, the year wolves were reintroduced. Today, the agency says there are around 110K.
Based on state data, the elk population has grown, the exact opposite of decimate.
In terms of moose, weather (which impact forage) and winter ticks have been shown to have much more of an impact than wolves. Alaska has plenty of both and they seem to be doing just fine.
Lol I would imagine everyone complaining are the peta people, they aren’t happy about anything!! It’s easy sitting at a computer and telling people what they should be doing. I don’t share joy when it comes to these outfitters either, can’t stand them to tell the truth.
The sierra club and leadership has long attacked anyone or group that doesn’t believe their crapulent ideals. Like all left wing organization’s, if you don’t follow blindly. You must be a racist, & uneducated,
Another bad choice made by President Trump a guy that didn’t do a very good job getting in charge
I couldn’t disagree more with this assessment. Having worked with Director Nesvik for many years, he was an outstanding leader in his years with the State and is an excellent choice for the Federal position.
If Wyoming truly wants to provide an enjoyable recreation experience for the majority of the public they should climb out of the “dark ages” and ban they’re predator policy that currently exists. Reduced visitor days impacts the Wyoming economy. People will go elsewhere.
Let’s face it let’s face it, the sight of a wolf or several of them killing an animal is the height of a thrill to those who enjoy such things. To those who raise our beef steaks, milk producers, wool for coats, lanolin, etc they are a livlihood killer and a danger.
Even worse the food producer losing livestock pays the entire cost.
Should a kid who has spent a summer or perhaps a year raising a lamb or calf amd javing their animal injured or killed be paying the price, or should a food procer pay for the joy of someone loving animal destruction?
For 10 years now, the grizzly mortality has “broken the record” every 3 years.
Honesty about the carrying capacity for Grizzlies in the GYE is long overdue.
2015,2018,2021,2024
He promised to manage with the concept of “America First” in mind. WITF does that mean here?
canadian geese better have their papers in order
Ya you too.
Are you referring to Canada geese?
The invasive sub-species Canis Lupus Occidentalis should be wiped from the lower 48. Canis Lupus Nubilis is what should have been protected, instead Occidentalis was allowed to exterminate what was left of them.
The Wolf transplantation was criminal.
The Grizzly bear population has fully recovered to numbers exceeding original goals. They have run out of suitable habitat and the numbers now need to be managed through hunting.
Winter behavior of elk puts them in “concentrated” groups naturally, whether they are fed or not. Hundreds to thousands migrate feed and bed in clustered groups, before they even get close to a feed ground. If there is disease, it would spread whether they are supplementally fed or not.
I’m no fan of wolves. But the article is right about other failures. Wyomings wildlife and hunting opportunitys are dismal compared to a few decades ago. Outfitters and domestic animals rule what’s left
That the wolves brought back to Wyoming are invasive has been disproven by genetics. One study from Princeton found no discernible difference between wolves in Canada and the Northern Rockies. Wolves in this region have moved across what we now call the Canadian/US boarder for millennia. This is just anti-wolf rhetoric used to undermine their existence.
thank you Kelsey, I agree with you on this guy. Wildlife and wilderness will be damaged under this administration. Hunters, fisherman, etc will suffer.
Wyoming has the best big game hunting in the country. You don’t like it because they control predators which is essential to good big game populations. Do tell us about Shiras Moose populations in Montana.
Wanting state managers to handle the over population of large predators is only going to help hunters not hurt them you are obviously a non hunter so you’re opinion is skewed by leftist animal rights members like the one writing this article they want to get rid of the tried and true science based wildlife management that this country has used for over 100 years for a to a socialist management plan which would collapse the ungulate population and deeply impact hunting which is their ultimate goal of banning all consumptive animals use all together
Bogus and biased article by a Sierra Club member.
Agreed !
My brother is a retired big game manager in Montana. What he has told me about managing elk is much different than what Nesvik has done in Wyoming. I guess ring kissing is involved in the case of Nesvik.