March 2021 - 12

ASK GAME AND FISH

How is the Wyoming Game
and Fish Department funded?
A:

Nearly 85 percent of the Wyoming
Game and Fish Department's
revenue comes from hunters, anglers,
recreational shooters and boaters. Funds
are generated from the sale of Wyoming
hunting and fishing licenses, conservation
stamps, permits and fees as well as revenue
from federal taxes on firearms, ammunition,
fishing tackle, boat fuel and other outdoor
equipment. The bulk of the remaining 15
percent comes from grants for special projects.
Sources like donations, the Super Tag raffle
and Wyoming Wildlife magazine sales make
up the remaining portion.
Careful management of funds is one of the
top priorities for the Wyoming Game and Fish
Commission, which provides oversight of the
budget. For fiscal year 2021, that amounts to
about $88.5 million in annual revenue and

$83 million in the annual standard budget.
The difference is saved in the Commission's
reserve account that maintains seven months
of operating expenses.
" The standard budget runs the day-to-day
work of Game and Fish, " said John Kennedy,
deputy director of internal operations. " Those
dollars go toward functions like running the
nine offices throughout the state, 10 fish
hatcheries and rearing stations and 42 wildlife
habitat management areas. "
The standard budget also pays for a
spectrum of projects that support fish and
wildlife including big game, large carnivores,
native fish and nongame animals.
Throughout the year, the Commission
will approve discretionary funds from its
reserve account for high priority projects
such as wildlife crossings, research and

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12 | March 2021	

capital construction projects. These projects
are prioritized through Game and Fish's
Strategic Plan.
Funding for the Game and Fish is not
guaranteed. It relies on sportspeople, especially
nonresidents who contribute approximately
77 percent of department license revenue.
Game and Fish does not receive any
appropriated state funds.
" We take the responsibility to manage
public wildlife with sportsperson dollars very
seriously, " Kennedy said. " We run our agency
with a business-mind to ensure we have funds
that will continue to support Wyoming's
wildlife now and in the future. "
You can see details about the budget on
the Game and Fish website.
- Sara DiRienzo is the Wyoming Game and Fish
Department public information officer.

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March 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2021