Multi Year Hunt Seasons

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is proposing to change the way big game and small game/upland bird hunt seasons are set. Starting in 2027, those seasons would be set for three years instead of each year as they are now. By doing so, the department believes they can better evaluate the effects of those seasons and reprioritize resources taken up during the annual season setting process. These hunt seasons would generally remain in place for three years, but the department would maintain flexibility to implement regulation changes for unforeseen events, such as a widespread die off or disease outbreak. The department will have tools in place to address wildlife conflicts and damage situations as they arise, without needing to revise the actual hunting regulations. Wyoming Game and Fish Deputy Wildlife Division Chief Justin Binfet says the department believes changing the structure is a win/win for the department and hunters. “I think one of the benefits is just that certainty and that simplicity or consistency with regulations. So once that season is set, if it’s set for three years, it should really help and assist not just hunters, but with outfitters, landowners—anyone that gets involved with planning a hunt to that they know with a certainty what that season will be for three years at a time in terms of how many licenses we’re going to issue, the season dates, the license types, the limitations on that license—things like that…” Time and resources currently being devoted to annual season-setting would be directed toward habitat improvement work, research, population monitoring, migration studies and other wildlife management priorities. Some anticipated challenges are that some regulation changes may take longer to implement, and some proposals could be more conservative when conditions are uncertain, such as prolonged drought conditions that may result in poor fawn survival. The department will continue holding public meetings to collect input—in non-season setting years, that input can help identify issues to shape future proposals before formal season recommendations are made.