Wyoming gets new Director of Department of Game and Fish-
March 7, 2003

Being head of this department is a hot seat in any state, but in Wyoming it must be white hot as outfitters, private hunters, ranchers, the oil, coal, and gas industry and conservationists maneuver for position.

The Acting head of the department, Tom Thorne, has stepped down and the new Governor nominated Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning to the position. Manning's nomination moved through the legislature. Manning beat out Thorne and Wyoming Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Jim Schwartz for the permanent position.

In the hearings, Manning praised Rep. Mike Baker, R-Thermopolis, who wrote controversial House Bill 229. On other matters, Manning struck a fairly conservation minded tone.

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My comments. Manning said what was necessarily to get nominated without "giving away the store." In Wyoming politics you have favor a fairly hostile stance on wolves and say bad things about the federal government.

It should be recognized that most political talk, including talk about wildlife politics, consists of repetition of the standard slogans familiar to the listeners. To do otherwise, would stir up controversy and opposition. Most of the time people, including political decision-makers, are reassured when nothing new is said.

My prediction is that Manning will be an improvement to the Department of Game and Fish.

 

rm