The Wyoming Wildlife Task Force has 8 propositions on the task force website at https://sites.google.com/wyo.gov/wyomingwildlifetaskforce/home/public-input  The propositions are below for your review.  If you would like to comment on the propositions, you must do so by September 12th. The next task force meeting is September 16th in Casper.  

On the task force website home page, select Public Input which has the 8 propositions.  Provide your name and email and your comment in the comment box.  
 

Question 1 – Proposition 1 and 3 Combined.

The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce is considering a recommendation that would designate and publish high-demand and standard-demand hunt areas for resident antelope, deer, and elk licenses and also institute a waiting period after a successful license draw for type 1, 2, or 9 in an area designated as high demand.  These areas shall be determined by averaging the previous three years of resident drawing odds for each individual area for Type 1, 2, 3, 9 and 0 licenses.  High-demand, or HD areas, shall be those whose three-year average is 30% or less, and all others shall be designated as standard-demand, or SD Units.  The Commission shall review and update these areas not more than every three (3) years.  

The Wyoming Legislature shall establish through statute, and direct the Commission to develop and promulgate any necessary rules and regulations, mandatory waiting periods for residents, excluding a qualified landowner holding a landowner license, who possessed a Type 1, 2, 3, 9 or 0 antelope, deer, or elk license for a HD Unit.  Those individuals shall be ineligible to apply for another Type 1, 2, 3, 9 or 0 license for the respective species in any HD Unit for a period of three (3) years after drawing one of these licenses.  Should the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommend these changes to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and Wyoming Legislature?  If you are not in favor of this recommendation and prefer the status quo, please tell us that as well.

Question 2 – Season Splitting.

In the interest of reducing hunter crowding and providing increased opportunity, the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce is considering whether to recommend to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission that they consider instituting additional split seasons in some hunt areas.  For example, if an existing season for limited quota elk currently has a quota of 100 licenses and is open from October 1-31, a split season might offer 50 licenses from October 1-15 and 50 licenses from October 16-31. Should the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommend that the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission consider providing more split seasons?  

Question 3 – Access Ideas.

The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce is interested in soliciting ideas from the public regarding hunting access.  Do you have ideas that may help improve hunting access?

Question 4 – Higher License Price for HD areas.

Are you willing to pay more for licenses in hunt areas that are considered high-demand?

Question 5 – Higher License Price for HD areas.

Are you willing to pay more for licenses in hunt areas that are considered high-demand?

Question 6 – Special Non-Resident License Fee Increase.

Should the price of non-resident special licenses be increased based upon a thorough analysis?  Should the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommend that it increase non-resident special license fees to the Wyoming State Legislature?  

Question 7 – Non-Resident Big 5 License Fee Increase.

Should the price of resident and non-resident Moose, Bison, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep, and Grizzly Bear (if delisted and returned to state management) licenses be increased based upon a thorough analysis of all factors impacting a license fee?  Should the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommend this change to the Wyoming Legislature? 

Question 8a – Landowner License Program Changes under Consideration.  (Excerpts from Chapter 44)

““Landowner Applicant” means an individual, or a member of the “Landowner Applicant’s Immediate Family” who either owns real property solely or jointly with other individuals or who holds a “Significant Interest” in a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company, which owns real property.  “Significant Interest” means ownership of Twenty Five Percent (25%) or more of a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company.”  This would refine the current policy by requiring a landowner license applicant to be at least a 25% (Significant Interest) owner.  Should the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommend these changes to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission?

Question 8b – Landowner License Program Changes under Consideration.  (Excerpts from Chapter 44)

“Section 9.  Landowner Licenses.  Landowner licenses shall only be issued to those landowners who own land which provides habitat for antelope, deer, elk or wild turkeys and meets the requirements as set forth in this section.  Any “Lands Purchased or Subdivided for the Primary Purpose of Obtaining Landowner Licenses” shall not be eligible for landowner licenses.”  This recommendation is being considered in order to help eliminate landowner license abuse by subdividing property for the express purpose of gaining additional landowner licenses.  Should the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommend this change to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission?

Question 8c – Landowner License Program Changes under Consideration.  (Excerpts from Chapter 44)

“Resident or nonresident landowner applicants that own land in Wyoming or members of the landowner applicant’s immediate family may be issued licenses upon application and payment of the specified fee.  Licenses shall be issued to landowners without participating in a competitive drawing unless the number of landowner license applications exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the number of licenses authorized for the hunt area by the Commission.”  The language in this paragraph adds a cap of 20% in landowner licenses by hunt area.  Should the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommend this change to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.

Question 8d – Landowner License Program Changes under Consideration.  (Excerpts from Chapter 44)

“If the Commission determines that any hunt area is over objective for the type of landowner license requested, landowner licenses shall be issued without regard to the quota established by the Commission and shall be in addition to the quota set by the Commission.”  This language addresses those hunt areas that are overpopulated and the Commission wishes to harvest all the animals in the objective, but not enough licenses are sold to ensure the herd goals are met.  Then it would be of assistance to issue additional landowner licenses.  Should the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce recommend this change to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission?

Question 9 – All Other Comments and Input.

What else is on your mind?

Taskforce Meeting Schedule – UPCOMING MEETINGS:

Meeting#14 - September 16, 2022 in Casper at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Meeting#15 - November 17-18, 2022 in Casper at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Meeting#16 - December 14, 2022 in Casper at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The 2022 Wyoming Outdoors is coming along.  There is still space available for display ads. If you have not reserved your ad, please let the office know at gro.agoyw@agoyw.

Important Deadlines:

September 15, 2022:
Bios are due and display ads reserved

November 1, 2022:
Display ads are due to Mark Schuler and payments in full to the office.

November 20, 2022:
Wyoming Outdoors goes to print

December 15, 2022:
Wyoming Outdoors will be mailed to the non-residents

Thank you for your continued support for this project.

Please mark your calendars to attend the 2022 WYOGA Annual Winter Retreat, December 9, 2022 at the Holiday Inn in Riverton. Invitations will be mailed November 1st with the details for the meeting.