Apply now for access to hunt on Game and Fish hunter management areas
If you’re one of the many hunters forming plans to head to a Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunter management area this fall, it's time to apply for permission slips. Applications for HMAs are now open. As many hunters know, a successful hunting season begins long before heading afield. Securing permission for access is one of the most important planning steps.
HMAs are typically private ranches and farms where the Game and Fish manages hunting access. These properties may include portions of various private lands as well as intermixed leased BLM and state lands within the HMA boundary. HMAs are part of the Access Yes program that facilitates the partnership between private landowners and Game and Fish to provide hunters and anglers free public hunting and fishing access on private land and inaccessible public land. Access Yes also includes walk-in fishing and walk-in hunting areas.
“We are fortunate to have incredible partnerships with Wyoming landowners through the Access Yes program,” said Dan Smith, Game and Fish interim deputy chief of wildlife. “Game and Fish extends our most sincere thanks to the generous landowners who welcome hunters on their land and those that provide monetary donations to the Access Yes program."
To gain access to a hunter management area, each hunter must apply for and obtain a printed permission slip for each HMA. Hunters need to know the name of the HMA, have a 2022 hunting license for the hunt area and species in which the HMA is located and vehicle information including make, model, year, color, license plate and state. Applications are submitted online.
“Each HMA has different rules, so hunters need to take time and carefully review the individual HMA Ranch Rules for information on the species that can be hunted, hunt areas within the HMA, number of permission slips available, when and how permission slips are allocated, as well as any other conditions of access,” said Troy Tobiasson, Sheridan Region Access Yes coordinator.
There are currently 64 hunter management areas throughout Wyoming supported by donations and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Wyoming conservation stamps. Funds donated to Access Yes can only be utilized to provide landowner payments in exchange for sportsperson access. The public can support Access Yes through donations on the Game and Fish website or when purchasing a license, either online or from a license selling agent. For more information please visit the Game and Fish public access page.
HMAs are typically private ranches and farms where the Game and Fish manages hunting access. These properties may include portions of various private lands as well as intermixed leased BLM and state lands within the HMA boundary. HMAs are part of the Access Yes program that facilitates the partnership between private landowners and Game and Fish to provide hunters and anglers free public hunting and fishing access on private land and inaccessible public land. Access Yes also includes walk-in fishing and walk-in hunting areas.
“We are fortunate to have incredible partnerships with Wyoming landowners through the Access Yes program,” said Dan Smith, Game and Fish interim deputy chief of wildlife. “Game and Fish extends our most sincere thanks to the generous landowners who welcome hunters on their land and those that provide monetary donations to the Access Yes program."
To gain access to a hunter management area, each hunter must apply for and obtain a printed permission slip for each HMA. Hunters need to know the name of the HMA, have a 2022 hunting license for the hunt area and species in which the HMA is located and vehicle information including make, model, year, color, license plate and state. Applications are submitted online.
“Each HMA has different rules, so hunters need to take time and carefully review the individual HMA Ranch Rules for information on the species that can be hunted, hunt areas within the HMA, number of permission slips available, when and how permission slips are allocated, as well as any other conditions of access,” said Troy Tobiasson, Sheridan Region Access Yes coordinator.
There are currently 64 hunter management areas throughout Wyoming supported by donations and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Wyoming conservation stamps. Funds donated to Access Yes can only be utilized to provide landowner payments in exchange for sportsperson access. The public can support Access Yes through donations on the Game and Fish website or when purchasing a license, either online or from a license selling agent. For more information please visit the Game and Fish public access page.
Sara DiRienzo, Public Information Officer - (sara.dirienzo@wyo.gov)
