Big game hunting is the major recreational activity for which fees are charged, although a significant number of respondents do not charge for any activity or at least do not charge residents. Several thousand recreationists are hosted per year. The number per ranch is most closely related to the size of the total ranch unit, which averages between 15,000 and 20,000 acres. The highest priority kinds of educational assistance desired are generally legal, financial and marketing, but vary somewhat among the 5 regions surveyed.
Many respondents have political concerns in addition to educational needs.
Compared to many other states, Wyoming is fortunate to be blessed with clean air and water, healthy climate, open space, more game animals than people, and a rich history of range livestock production and ranch families. About half of Wyoming's land area is public land, and many natives and tourists assume this higher percentage of public land is one of the primary reasons Wyoming still has a good supply of clean air and water, open space and game animals. However, much of the preservation and conservation of these desirable natural resources is directly attributable to the personal values and natural resources philosophy of farmers and ranchers who have a love of the land. This is particularly true of the riparian lands in valleys along streams which furnish irrigation water and critical winter range for migratory game animals. Livestock ranching in Wyoming, partly by necessity because of climate, and partly by design because of rancher values, is an extensive rather than intensive kind of land management.