Wildlife Management Meets Technology

This is the story of a technology department that transformed from playing catch-up to leading the pack, making IT an essential partner in natural resource management. It wasn’t just about fixing systems; it was about becoming an innovative force in conservation, using technology to keep pace with the land and wildlife we protect.

In the nine years I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department technology leadership, we became the first wildlife agency to launch a Customer Portal, giving the public direct access to services and real-time updates. Then, in a huge leap forward, we became the first wildlife and state agency to operate entirely in the Cloud. This move gave us the freedom to work smarter, faster, and be ready for anything.

From there, we built what we needed from the ground up. Our team developed the first custom fishery and hatchery management systems (FINS, HMS) that worked specifically for us, opening up visibility and insights into the resources we protect. Then came the Game Data Management System (GDMS), along with a mobile app, which got essential wildlife data straight to the people who needed it most in the field.

We didn’t stop at systems. We pushed our data forward with the first-ever wildlife data warehouse, a dedicated business intelligence platform, housing the information that keeps us ahead. To keep operations on track, we created our own cloud-based Customer Administration System (CAS)-streamlining customer service and business operations like never before.

For our sportsmen, we introduced Point Guard and Point Guard Plus to prevent bonus point losses from unforeseen scheduling conflicts to keep traditions going strong. As drought concerns grew, we built a custom GIS drought response management system and dashboard, so we could tackle environmental challenges in real-time.

Our efforts to innovate didn’t stop with day-to-day tools; we also became the first wildlife agency to patent our digital wildlife management platform. Our team didn’t just build great software; we officially registered 11 copyrights with the US Patent Office. Then we took it further by creating the first online scheduler for shooting ranges (Bookben), making it easier than ever for people to engage with our resources.

From start to finish, we made it our mission to lead. We became the only wildlife agency building its software for core operations, a shift that led to selling our cloud-based platform with Navajo Nation as our first client. With the e-Tag digital tag integrated into our central customer database, we streamlined data across systems, eliminating outdated processes and delivering a better user experience.

On the tech side, we leaned into Xtreme Programming as our core software methodology, using prototypes to make sure we were on the right path. We became the first and only wildlife agency to use Amazon Cognito for securing customer logins, setting a new bar for safety and trust. And with Starlink satellite connectivity, we ensured our teams could work from anywhere, even the most remote places.

Our team’s list of firsts continued in-house: from our software development team and quality assurance to cybersecurity programs with multifactor authentication and regular patch management, we built a solid foundation. And we created business continuity and disaster recovery plans to keep our mission intact no matter what challenges came our way.

Today, the IT department at Arizona Game and Fish is not just about tech; it’s about leading with purpose. We’ve shown that when you combine innovation with a clear mission, you can bridge conservation with technology, empowering the agency, the land, and the people it serves. In transforming the department, we became a model for what a wildlife agency could be: adaptive, resilient, and ready to set a new standard for the future.

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