Before summer even gets finished, it’s already time for hunters to start organizing things, and if you’re one of the several hunters that enjoy hunting one of Wyoming’s 70-plus Hunter Management Areas as part of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s access programs, here’s your reminder to apply for permission slips. Applications open July 21st.  HMAs are usually private ranches where the Game and Fish manages hunting access. They may include portions of various private lands, and intermixed leased BLM and state lands within the HMA boundary.     

HMAs are part of the Access Yes program that assists 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 is a similar program that includes walk-in fishing and hunting areas.  HMA’s offer good opportunity for hunting elk, deer and pronghorn and are typically highly sought-after hunt areas made available through the generosity of private landowners. 

Hit up the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website, there you’ll find an interactive map that details where HMA’s are located. To hunt on an HMA, each hunter must apply online for and obtain a printed permission slip.  Each HMA has different rules, so take time to review the individual HMA Ranch Rules for information on the species that can be hunted, hunt areas within a particular HMA, the number of permission slips available, when and how permission slips are allocated, and other conditions of access.   

Type 8 elk licenses are not valid on the National Elk Refuge. Type 8 licenses are unlimited in number and offered to hunters to address specific elk population issues in a portion of the state.     

There are currently 72 HMAs throughout Wyoming offering various hunting options from antelope to partridge depending on the HMA. These are supported by donations and a portion of the proceeds that come from the sale of Wyoming conservation stamps. Funds donated to Access Yes can only be used to provide landowner payments in exchange for sportsperson access. Remember too—some HMA permission slips are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to apply soon.