Last week the Wyoming Wildlife Federation hosted the 9th annual Camo at the Capitol, and this year it showed exactly how conservation works in Wyoming.
More than 75 hunters, anglers and trappers from across the state joined us, alongside 12 partner sporting organizations, for a full day focused on civic engagement, wildlife policy, and community. The goal was simple: give Wyomingites the understanding and confidence to participate effectively in decisions about wildlife, habitat, and public lands.
The morning began with practical legislative training taught by Wyoming Wildlife Federation staff and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s Alex Aguirre. Participants learned how a bill moves through the Capitol, what makes testimony effective, and how to engage respectfully with elected officials. An advanced session walked through the state budget process so attendees could understand where conservation and wildlife dollars live in real policy.
Throughout the day, speakers connected statute and laws to on the ground outcomes. The Governor’s office explained the executive branch’s role during the session. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation discussed conservation easements and their importance to working lands and habitat continuity. Trout Unlimited and the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation shared details on the Seminoe Pumped Storage project and its importance to the future of the Miracle Mile. Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce spoke about agency priorities and the future of wildlife management in the state.
In the afternoon, participants put that preparation into action.
They attended the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee hearing on corner crossing, where many chose to testify. Camo clad citizens delivered thoughtful, respectful comments grounded in personal experience and stewardship values. Legislators repeatedly noted they were hearing from informed constituents, exactly the goal of the day.
Participants then met directly with their legislators and visited both chambers to see the pace and process of lawmaking firsthand.
The day concluded at the annual Sportsmen’s Legislative Reception, where hundreds of citizens and policymakers gathered over Wyoming harvested and home prepared wild game and Wyoming born drinks, including a custom “I hunt, I fish, I vote” lager from Lander’s Pushroot Brewing Co. Speakers included Governor Gordon, Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce, Senator Barlow, Representative Byron, and WWF Executive Director Craig Benjamin, with Government Affairs Director Jess Johnson closing the evening. Jess has led Camo at the Capitol since its inception nine years ago, helping grow it into one of the most effective civic engagement events in the state.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the supporting sporting organizations: Wyoming Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Bowhunters of Wyoming, The Nature Conservancy, Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, Wyoming Game Wardens Association, Muley Fanatic Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Wyoming State Trappers Association, and Pheasants Forever. Special thanks to Jackson Hole Stillworks and Pushroot Brewing Co for providing Wyoming crafted beverages for the event.
Camo at the Capitol is not about a single bill or a single issue. It is about making sure the people closest to Wyoming’s wildlife have the knowledge and confidence to participate in shaping its future. It is the building blocks of the hunter, angler and trappers voice in state policy.
Conservation in Wyoming succeeds when people trust each other, understand the process, and show up prepared. This event exists to make that possible and to help keep Wyoming’s land and wildlife public for the generations riding in behind us.
