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February 16, 2009
Lander, WY - Dave Dufek, long-time fish supervisor in
Lander, has decided to hang up his hip waders after 40 years of
service with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
"Dave has demonstrated a career-long concern for both our native
and sport fish species and their habitats. Most notably, Dave has
contributed a great deal to gaining valuable public support and
public access," said Mike Stone, Game and Fish chief of fisheries.
"Dave worked hard to develop strong working relationships with
sportsmen's groups and individuals throughout the Lander Region.
Those relationships, along with Dave's sound management, have
greatly benefited the fisheries he supervised."
Dufek began his 40-year WGFD career as a summer fish biologist in
Lander. He also served as a deputy game warden and as a summer
fish biologist in Laramie before starting his permanent service in
1969 as a fish technician in Green River. He quickly rose to the
ranks of permanent biologist, and in 1977, Dufek was promoted to
Green River fish supervisor. He transferred to the same position
in Lander in 1987.
Dufek led his crew in the development of Boysen Reservoir into a
prominent regional fishery and expanded public access on the Wind
River. He was also cited for initiating a comprehensive sauger
study on the Wind River. Overall, his career was highlighted by
contributions to lake and stream surveys and management,
dedication to maintenance of healthy habitat and native fish
species, conservation education and gaining valuable public
access.
Dufek is a Hemingford, Neb. native and a 1964 graduate of
Hemingford High School. He attended Chadron State College before
earning a bachelor's degree in wildlife management from the
University of Wyoming.
In his spare time, Dufek enjoys fishing, rock hunting and now,
volunteering for Game and Fish projects. He's an American
Fisheries Society member and has served as the president of the
Colorado/Wyoming chapter. He received the Award of Excellence from
the chapter in 2001. He has also served as the secretary/treasurer
of the Great Plains Fishery Worker's Association. In 2002, he was
honored as the department's Fish Division Employee of the Year.
Dufek and his wife Norma have two sons. He is the son of
Hemingford resident, Dorothy Dufek.
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