CHEYENNE— With hunting season in full swing, sportspeople heading to the field are asked to uphold respect for public and private lands and the crucial wildlife habitat they provide.

Combining good land ethics with a deep reverence for wildlife habitat safeguards fragile landscapes while preserving open access. Drought conditions have left native range grasses and shrubs short, dry and brittle. Driving motorized vehicles off designated roads or two-tracks crushes these fragile native plants to the ground, making them unavailable as winter food for wildlife like mule deer. Following access rules and practicing sound land ethics maintains the positive relationships that keep access areas open while safeguarding vital habitats for wildlife.

To open up more lands across the state, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Access Yes Program works with landowners to provide more hunting and fishing opportunities.  Game and Fish walk-in hunting areas are parcels of land open to anyone with a valid hunting license for allowed species with no permission slip required. WIHA’s are similar to hunter management areas (HMA) in that landowners determine which species can be hunted and when access will be granted. The main difference is HMAs require a permission slip while WIHAs can be utilized by anyone with a license valid for that area. Both of these areas are part of the Access Yes Program which enrolls more than 700,000 private acres involving roughly 450 landowners.

"Responsible access is essential to preserving hunting opportunities for future generations," said Jon Desonier, Access Yes coordinator in the Lander Region. “Whether hunting on public lands or private access areas, understanding land rules, staying on roads, and respecting habitat, keeps lands open and protects critical habitat.” 

Here are some tips for our hunters this season:

• Know your boundaries: Use updated maps, GPS tools or land ownership apps to verify property lines before heading into the field. Never cross onto private land without explicit permission.

• Follow area-specific rules: Check specific regulations for different lands and access areas prior to hunting, as allowed activities, vehicle access, target species and open dates vary by location.

• Respect the roads: Ensure you are staying on designated roads and two tracks to minimize habitat and forage loss for wildlife in the area.

• Respect private landowners: Hunters participating in private land access programs must respect landowners' terms, stick to designated roads and parking areas and leave gates as they were found.

• Pack it in, pack it out: Keep access areas clean by removing all trash, spent shell casings and debris.

• Report violations: Help preserve ethical hunting standards by reporting suspected trespassing, poaching or property damage to law enforcement or wildlife authorities immediately to 1-877-WGFD-TIP.

— WGFD —