Open Season

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of animal cruelty and death, bullying, and death.

“‘I heard about you. Everybody has. You’re the bonehead who arrested the governor of Wyoming for fishing without a license, right?’

Joe could feel his neck getting hot.

‘I didn’t know he was the governor,’ Joe said, wishing he hadn’t said anything.

Ote Keeley laughed and slapped his thigh.”

New game warden Joe Pickett tickets Ote Keeley for poaching, and Ote brings up a story about Joe that has spread throughout the community. For Ote and the other locals, Joe’s ticketing of the Wyoming governor indicates his inexperience on the job, as a seasoned game warden wouldn’t ticket a government official. This story demonstrates Joe’s ethical code, since he won’t allow anyone—even a governor—to feel like they are above the law just because of their status.

“With Wolf Mountain in front of them and the foothills and canyon in back, the Pickett family, eight miles from town in their house, lived a life of deep and casting shadows.”

The government-owned game warden house that the Picketts live in sits far outside of Saddlestring. This excerpt describes the isolation of the house, which reflects the isolation that the Picketts feel in Twelve Sleep County, as they have a difficult time integrating into the community. Additionally, the house is surrounded on all sides by geographical features, hinting that the family is trapped and vulnerable; the image of “deep and casting shadows” suggests secrets and hidden threats. Their emotional and physical isolation leaves them vulnerable to manipulation, especially by Wacey.

“‘Maybe it’s because you’re the new guy. People here still can’t get used to the fact that Vern Dunnegan isn’t around anymore,’ Marybeth said, and Joe knew instantly she wished she could take it back.”

Sheriff Barnum and the entire police force speed past Joe’s house on their way to investigate a report at Crazy Woman Campground. Vern Dunnegan was such a legendary figure in the community that Marybeth assumes the locals resent Joe for taking the man’s place, which is why they didn’t call him to join them.