May 2023 - 8

NEWS
Several new laws will have
impact on wildlife, hunting
CHEYENNE - The 2023 Wyoming
Legislature passed several bills that will make
changes to Wyoming Game and Fish Department
laws and regulations. The following is a
summary of the notable Game and Fish-related
bills that passed, how they impact the
public and the next steps for implementation.
Game and Fish will continue to provide
updates as these changes move through the
regulation process.
Hunting of predatory animals
(HB0104)
Hunters will soon be allowed to hunt and
harvest predatory animals on public or state
land at night with the use of artificial light,
including thermal and infrared imaging. The
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has
been granted the authority to establish rules
and regulations regarding the creation of
zones, areas, seasons and methods.
Mountain lion pursuit seasons (SF0178)
Wyoming residents may be allowed to
participate in a pursuit-only season for
mountain lions with dogs in areas where
mountain lion hunting is permitted. If a
mountain lion pursuit season is approved by
the Commission, hunters will be allowed to
chase and tree mountain lions with dogs. The
harvest of mountain lions during a pursuit
season would be illegal and subject to misdemeanor
charges and fines.
Nonresident hunting license application
fees (HB0200)
This bill increases nonresident fees for
those who apply for the pronghorn, deer
and elk special draw. Forty percent of all
nonresident deer, elk and pronghorn licenses
are placed in a pool for a special draw that
usually gives nonresidents a better chance
at drawing a tag. The special draw fee for
elk, deer and pronghorn will increase to the
following:
* Nonresident elk special fee: $1,258
* Nonresident deer special fee: $826
* Nonresident antelope special fee: $874
8 | May 2023
Hunters will be allowed to hunt and harvest predatory animals like coyotes on public or state land at night with the use of
artificial light, including thermal and infrared imaging. (Photo Mark Gocke/WGFD)
This bill also increases the nonresident fee
for some of Wyoming's most coveted licenses
to the following:
* Nonresident bighorn sheep license:
$3,000
* Nonresident mountain goat license:
$2,750
* Nonresident moose license: $2,750
* Nonresident grizzly bear license: $7,500
* Nonresident wild bison license: $6,000
Nonresidents who wish to enter the special
draw for pronghorn, deer and elk are responsible
for paying the special draw fee in addition
to the license and application fee. This bill
has no effect on the allocation or number
of resident licenses. Nonresidents can expect
to see these changes go into effect next year.
Shed antlers and horns conservation
stamp requirement for nonresidents
(HB0276)
This bill establishes shed antlers and
horns on public land as property of the
state and requires nonresidents to obtain a
conservation stamp prior to the collection
of shed antlers and horns on designated
lands. Designated lands are west of the Continental
Divide, excluding the Great Divide
Basin and some land west of Laramie. A
conservation stamp will not be required
for residents of Wyoming or any person
under 15 years of age. Nonresidents will
not be required to obtain a conservation
stamp this year but should expect to plan
accordingly next year.
May 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2023
