JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has announced the appointment of two new game wardens in the Jackson Region after Kyle Lash and James Hobbs were promoted to positions in other parts of the state.
Colten Galambas will take on the position of South Jackson Senior Game Warden, previously held by Lash. Joining WGFD in 2021, Galambas originally worked in the habitat and access division before becoming the Senior Game Warden in Lovell. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fish and wildlife ecology and management from Montana State University.
Cody Schoonover will serve as Afton Senior Game Warden, taking over for Hobbs. Schoonover worked in wildlife research and technician roles in Alaska, Idaho, California and Illinois before joining WGFD in 2016. He has previously held Senior Game Warden positions in Cheyenne, Alpine and Cokeville. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management and a master’s degree in environmental toxicology.
“The Jackson Region would like to congratulate Kyle Lash and James Hobbs on their new roles and welcome Colten Galambas and Cody Schoonover,” WGFD said in a statement. “The region looks forward to their valuable contributions to wildlife management and the community.”
According to WGFD, Lash was promoted to Game Warden Coordinator in Cody. Lash has worked for the department for 15 years. In 2020, he was named Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year for Wyoming. The annual award is given in every state and Canadian province by the Shikar-Safari Club International, and it honors a wildlife officer who displays outstanding performance and achievement throughout the year.
Hobbs has received a promotion to Regional Wildlife Supervisor in Green River after serving the Afton area since 2016. He began his career with WGFD in Sheridan in 2007. He, too, was named Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year for Wyoming, receiving the award in 2024.
