Wyoming Game and Fish Chief Warden Rick King Retires After 26-Year Career

Chief Game Warden Rick King has officially retired from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department after a distinguished career spanning 26 years, Oil City News reports.

King began his journey with the department in 1998 as an enforcement aide and went on to serve in various capacities, culminating in his role as chief of the Wildlife Division.

Throughout his tenure, King served as a game warden at multiple duty stations across Wyoming. His dedication and expertise led to a promotion in 2011 to Laramie Regional Wildlife Supervisor. In 2019, he was named Chief of the Wildlife Division, where he played a pivotal role in shaping wildlife management strategies across the state.

King’s contributions were widely recognized. He received the prestigious Director’s Award in 2019 for his leadership on key issues such as managing chronic wasting disease and developing an elk feedground management plan. His efforts to engage with the Wyoming Legislature on wildlife-related matters further cemented his legacy.

In addition to the Director’s Award, King was honored with the 2014 Employee of the Year Award for the Wildlife Division and the 2016 Laramie Region Peer Recognition Award. These accolades highlight his commitment to wildlife conservation and his collaborative approach with colleagues and stakeholders.

“Chief King dedicated 26 years across our entire state helping manage Wyoming’s wildlife; our wildlife and sportspeople owe Rick an extreme level of gratitude… wish him well in retirement and thank him for his service to this great state,” said Game and Fish Deputy Director Eric Wiltanger.