(Fremont County, WY) – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s help in protecting our shared natural and cultural heritage after a recent incident of artifact looting and vandalism on Wyoming Game and Fish Commission lands near Dubois.
Commission lands are managed to conserve wildlife habitat and provide public opportunities for hunting, fishing and recreation. They also hold important cultural and historical resources that tell the story of Wyoming’s past. When individuals illegally remove or destroy artifacts, the damage is permanent.
“Looting not only strips the land of irreplaceable history, it jeopardizes the privilege of public access to these areas for everyone,” said Jason Hunter, Lander Regional Wildlife Supervisor. “These lands are owned by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and are open to unlimited public access for much of the year. It is the Department’s responsibility to safeguard them for future generations.”
(County 10 reached out to Game and Fish to inquire about what artifacts were looted/what areas were vandalized, and they stated the Department is “being very cautious not to share more information or photos” because they “don’t want to draw more people to the area with the artifacts.” “The artifacts are rare enough that if we mention what they are or show photos of the area, people will be able to more easily locate them.”)
To encourage leads in this case, an anonymous donor is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that results in a conviction.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847) or report online. Tips can be made anonymously.
Game and Fish thanks the public for being vigilant and reporting misuse on Commission-owned lands. Preserving these landscapes—both for wildlife and the cultural stories they hold—ensures Wyoming’s wild places remain whole for generations to come