The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has directed the Department to move forward with the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommendation to modify nonresident elk hunting regulations with the overall goal to better manage elk herds towards population objectives and resident hunting experience and pressure.
Proposal to develop nonresident general elk regions and quotas:
Last summer, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission directed the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to move forward with a recommendation put forth by the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce to modify nonresident elk hunting regulations with the overall goal to better manage elk herds towards population objectives and resident hunting experience and pressure.
The Department, as directed by the Commission has completed a proposal for Chapter 44 and is now accepting public comment until 5 p.m. June 2.
Proposed changes to Chapter 44, include the following:
- Establishment of three nonresident region general elk hunt areas
- Establishment of nonresident region general elk license quotas
If the Game and Fish Commission approves the proposed changes to Chapter 44, nonresident general elk quotas would be evaluated annually during the season-setting process.
How do these proposed changes affect nonresidents and residents?
| Nonresidents |
Residents |
| Nonresident general license holders will be restricted to hunting in the nonresident region for which they drew a license in. |
The proposal to establish nonresident general regions has no impact on the ability of resident hunters to purchase general licenses. Residents can purchase a general elk license over the counter if they do not already hold a type 1, 2, 3, 9, 0 or GEN elk license. |
| While the proposed nonresident elk regions include limited quota hunt areas, nonresidents would only be permitted to hunt in areas designated as general and not within limited quota hunt areas. |
Residents will continue to be able to hunt in any general license area in the state. |
Understanding the nonresident general elk license allocation:
Currently Game and Fish allocates sixteen percent of the total available limited quota full-price elk licenses to nonresidents, plus the number of general elk licenses necessary to reach a total limit of 7,250 nonresident elk licenses in the initial drawing. The proposed regulation change will allow for more flexibility in the number of nonresident region general elk licenses issued. The 7,250 nonresident license limit was instituted in the 1980s and was based on the average number of nonresident license sales at the time. There was no biological purpose for this number. Since then, the state elk population has increased significantly.
The revised Chapter 44 regulation will be presented to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission at their July 18-19, 2023 meeting in Wheatland, Wyoming.
WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS.
FAQs
A. The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce was convened to study top-priority wildlife policy issues facing the state related to the allocation of hunting opportunity, sportsperson access and other issues. The topics are identified by the taskforce members with input from the public for study over an 18-month period with the goal of presenting conclusions and recommendations to the Wyoming Legislature, Game and Fish Commission and governor to support decision-making on Wyoming’s wildlife resources. The Taskforce has no rule-making authority.
A. The Taskforce recognized that the 7,250 cap for non-resident general license allocation instituted in the 1980s was based on the average of non-resident license sales at that time. There was no biological purpose for this number. The state elk population has increased significantly since the 1980s and new methods are required to manage these herds in Wyoming. With the cap removed, game managers will have greater flexibility to control harvest.
A. Residents and nonresidents will still be in separate draws, with 90% of available licenses to residents and 10% to nonresidents.