Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association

Guiding America since 1959

photo by Mark Gocke

Lee Livingston, President of WYOGA
Lee Livingston

Welcome to Wyoming Outfitter and Guides Association

Dear fellow hunters and outdoor enthusiasts:

Since its formation in 1959, WYOGA has seen many WGFD directors come and go. The relationship with each director has been unique, but the relationship between WYOGA and former director Brian Nesvik has been the strongest that many of us in the industry can recall. Early in his career, Brian recognized that many outfitters had their finger on the pulse of the game herds in their areas and were willing to work in cooperation with local wildlife managers to ensure sustainable wildlife populations.

As he worked up through the ranks of the WGFD, Brian continued to engage with outfitters on many hot button issues, including grizzly bear, Check out the 2024 WYOGA Big Game Awardsgray wolf and feed ground management. He also worked with the outfitting industry on many contentious license allocation decisions. As director, Brian was instrumental in helping establish the Wyoming Wildlife Task force, which tackled several critical issues, many of which were centric to the outfitting industry. WYOGA is sad to see Brian leave, but we wish him well in his next chapter.

Governor Gordon appointed Angi Bruce as the next director of WGFD, and she took over the reins in September of 2024. Over the past five years, Angi has worked side by side with Director Nesvik on some of our state’s most pressing wildlife management challenges and opportunities. Her entire career has centered on wildlife and habitat management, and she has mastered an understanding of Wyoming’s unique needs. For those of you who don’t know her yet, take advantage of the opportunities to meet her at upcoming events around the state and congratulate her on her new position.

WYOGA is looking forward to continuing the great relationship we have with WGFD, and to working in strong collaboration with Director Bruce and all of her dedicated and skilled staff.

We hope to see you on the trail someday soon!

Best,
Lee
Lee Livingston, WYOGA President

Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association is proud to announce the release of Hunting Safely in Grizzly Country.

You may make a donation to the efforts to save the Wyoming feedgrounds here.

WYOGA Featured Outfitter

Wyoga
Big Game Awards

Click here to view the 2024 Big Game Awards results for the 2023 hunt season

Our sponsors of the Big Game Awards: Dallas Safari Club Wild Sheep Foundation

Get a copy of
Wyoming Outdoors

Wyoming Outdoors, the official publication of the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association

Click to get the 2024/2025 Wyoming Outdoors — the official publication of the Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association.

($5 postage and handling)

You can also view the 2024/2025 issue online here!

Wyoming License Application Deadlines

Elk: Non-residents: Feb. 1
Elk: Residents: May 31
Deer: May 31
Antelope: May 31
Moose: April 30
Bighorn Sheep: April 30
Mountain Goat: April 30
Spring Wild Turkey: Feb. 1
Wild Bison: April 30

Wyoming Game & Fish Department helpful links

Outfitter-Client Yearly Statistics

Wyoming State Board of Outfitters & Professional Guides

Year End Statistics: 2023        Outfitters: 304

Species# of ClientsSuccessful %
Deer1903142375%
Antelope2088194393%
Elk3580257972%
Black Bear1538656%
Moose323094%
Sheep847185%
Mountain Goat161063%
Mountain Lion986162%
Wolf20210%
Total:7974620578%
*The actual number of individuals utilizing the services of licensed outfitters may be slightly less than the totals reflected above due to some clients hunting more than one species.

Preference Points explained

Unraveling the Preference Points Mystery

by Jim Schell, Rough Country Outfitters & Guides

"WHAT THE HECK DO YOU MEAN, I didn't draw my dang Wyoming elk license again!!!" I'm sure most of us have either said, or at least heard this very statement, quickly followed by a few other choice words of disappointment! So, if you are like many non-resident sportsmen, you have at least a few questions surrounding Wyoming's big game preference points system.

In an effort to help folks better understand how the preference points system works, a few facts, figures, opinions and application strategies will be presented. Understanding the dynamics of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's big game license drawing may be of real benefit to you in successfully drawing that coveted antelope, deer, elk, bighorn sheep or Shiras moose license, when, where and how you wish to hunt them in future years!

2021 Southwick Economic Impact Study cover

The economic impact of big game hunting in Wyoming

  • Wyoming hosted more than 120,000 big game hunters in 2020, of which 60 percent were residents and 40 percent were nonresidents.
  • Those hunters, that same year, spent $250 million on gear, travel, guides and other goods and services in Wyoming, which in turn generated economic benefits that extended to all state residents.
  • These same dollars went on to support 3,500 jobs…
These results are contained in a study commissioned by the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association and its partners, and produced by Southwick Associates. You can download the 2021 summary report here.

Elk is the most targeted species by resident and guided nonresident hunters.

Antelope and mule deer are the most targeted species by unguided nonresident hunters.

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