CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners voted on Tuesday to increase non-resident preference points effective January 1, 2027, a motion that was passed unanimously after some discussion.
The Commission voted to increase non-resident preference point prices for elk, deer, and antelope to the maximum amount permitted by the Wyoming State Legislature, which allowed limited increase in preference points and license increases per Wyoming Statute Section 23-2-101 in 2018.
“We need to be prepared to do more for our Game and Fish employees,” Commissioner Bill Mai said. “Costs have increased across the board - we have to be ready to cover that.”
The increases will include the following:
- Antelope preference points: $31 to $75, a $44 increase.
- Deer preference points: $41 to $75, a $34 increase.
- Elk preference points: $52 to $75, a $23 increase.
Moose and sheep preference points had previously been increased to the maximum allowed on January 1, 2018.
Game and Fish Chief Fiscal Officer Meredith Wood said that the revenue increase, based on current preference point sales, will provide the Department with an annual revenue increase of an estimated $14,654,829.
This is the first increase for non-resident preference points since 2018. During her presentation, Wood noted that since 2008, there has been a cumulative inflation of 68.3%, with a 35.7% inflation increase since 2020.
Commissioner John Masterson said that the increase in preference points is a necessary step in managing the increased cost of wildlife management for the Department, and will ultimately benefit residents and visitors alike.
“This increase is a way of preserving a way of life that we love,” Masterson said. “I’m very confident that the agency does a great job of administering the agency dollars, and I think everybody who looks at the department budget would say that they are responsible, transparent stewards of that money.”
Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce said after the meeting that the decision to increase non-resident preference points is an important step forward in matching revenue with more than a decade of cost increases to the agency.
“An overall hunting license increase has not occurred since 2008,” Bruce said. “It is good to see the support from the Commissioners in looking out for the future of wildlife management, however, the costs to our mission continue to grow exponentially. This is a move in the right direction, and we will continue to work to find creative opportunities to generate additional funds that will benefit wildlife in our state.”
