Wyoming hunting seasons are in full swing in many areas, and residents still have a chance to go afield before the seasons’ end. Wyoming residents may purchase a general deer or elk license- also known as an over-the-counter license- at any Game and Fish office, license selling agent, or at the Department website. Residents are reminded that license limitations still apply when purchasing a general elk or deer license.
Resident general deer licenses are $38 and allow the harvest of "any", "antlered" or “antlerless” deer depending upon the limitations for a given hunt area. Resident general elk licenses are $52 and also allow the harvest of “any,” “antlered,”or “antlerless” elk depending on hunt area limitations. Opening and closing dates, as well as other limitations, vary depending on deer and elk hunt areas. Hunters should consult the regulations for specific hunt area limitations.
Deer and elk are not the only way to get in the field, though.
“We also sell bird and small game licenses,” said Jennifer Doering, Game and Fish license section manager. Doering reminds hunters they can purchase bird and small game licenses together or separate. The combined price for residents is $24, separate is $16 for either.
Every sportsperson also needs to purchase one Conservation Stamp each year for $12.50. Hunters who were born after Jan. 1, 1966 also must have proof of hunter safety or enroll in the Hunter Mentor program. Upcoming hunter safety classes are available on the Game and Fish education website.
Residents who are currently hunting or planning their trip can take advantage of some Game and Fish tools to make finding a place to go a little easier. The Game and Fish 2016 Hunt Planner can help hunters distinguish between public and private land and hunt area boundaries. Features, such as multiple species hunt area overlays, are useful in determining where you can hunt multiple species at the same time. The Hunt Planner also has GPS applications for smartphones, even offline, when utilizing the GeoPDF feature. More info on how to use this feature is available online.
Interactive maps are also available for Walk-In areas. Hunters using the map can locate Walk-In Hunting areas three ways: by clicking on the individual Walk-In Hunting areas location on the map, looking up areas by county, or sorting by species to hunt. The Walk-In maps function the same as the Hunt Planner, showing boundaries and topography.
Hunters who have specific questions about purchasing a license or hunting requirements can call the sportsperson hotline at (307) 777-4600 or their Regional Game and Fish Office.
