As Wyoming hunters gear up for the 2026 big game hunting season, many are excited about the opportunity to pursue their long-awaited trophies. However, hunting doesn’t always go as planned, and sometimes a shot doesn’t land as intended, leaving hunters in search of their game. Fortunately, a solution is available through Rocky Mountain Big Game Recovery (RMBGR), a network of nearly 50 leashed tracking dogs trained to help hunters recover lost animals.

Legalization and Expansion

Since Wyoming legalized the use of dogs for tracking downed or lost big game animals in 2019, RMBGR has been instrumental in assisting hunters. Founded by Scott Gillespie, who was inspired after attending a tracking seminar in Oklahoma City, the organization began its mission in Northern Colorado and quickly expanded into Wyoming.

By 2021, RMBGR had grown to include five trackers and became a nonprofit organization. Today, the network boasts 47 trackers across several states, including Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Washington, with plans for further expansion.

How It Works

Hunters in need of assistance can visit the RMBGR website to find a tracker near their hunting area using an interactive map. Trackers will assess the situation and, if feasible, arrange to meet the hunter to begin the search. If the nearest tracker is unavailable, they can connect hunters with others in the network.

The organization continues to grow, with more trackers joining each year. Notably, some trackers are not hunters themselves but enjoy working with dogs and aiding hunters in their recovery efforts.

Getting Involved

For those interested in becoming a tracking team, RMBGR is hosting a seminar in July in Saratoga, WY. This event offers hands-on experience and learning opportunities for handlers of all experience levels. Additionally, Scott Gillespie is available to answer questions for anyone interested in joining the network.

Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.