Upper Snake Fish and Game Supervisor retires today

Idaho Department of Fish and Game Upper Snake Region Supervisor Steve Schmidt is stepping down from the post after a 36-year career. His last day in the office is Friday, June 17.

Scmidt has been in the post since January 2006. He was leader of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee (YES) when the Yellowstone grizzly bear was first delisted in 2007. He remains active in efforts to delist the Yellowstone grizzly population.

Schmidt is a Kansas native who graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula. After six and a half years with the Kansas Fish and Game Commission, Schmidt came to eastern Idaho to manage the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area. Before becoming regional supervisor, Schmidt served for 12 years as Regional Habitat Manager in Idaho Falls.

Even though he is retiring from IDFG, Schmidt said, “I intend to remain engaged in conservation related issues and am confident the managers at IDFG will carry on with the good work underway.”