The WYOGA 67th Annual Convention was a tremendous success, and we cannot thank our members, vendors, sponsors, and presenters enough for their contributions in making it such a great event. We are already gearing up for the 68th Annual Convention, which will be held April 9–10 at the Ramkota in Casper. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this fun-filled event. We look forward to seeing you there.
We have interim topics for the summer and fall. The legislature will not be looking at corner crossing or transferable landowner tags. The Management Council has determined that the Joint Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committee (TRW) Committee will study the following topics of interest of the interim:
Priority #: 1 Wyoming Game and Fish Department Budget.
The Committee will study issues associated with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department budget and its funding sources. The Committee will review methods for ensuring the sustainability of future funding for the Game and Fish Department and game and fish related programs and activities in the state.
Priority #: 2 Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Updates.
The Committee will study issues associated with the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, including nonmotorized trails, state archives, Wyoming State Museum issues, visitor management systems, and mineral leasing at state parks.
Priority #: 3 Landowner Habitat Issues.
The Committee will examine programs associated with wildlife, habitat, and hunting access issues from landowners. Priority #: 4 Wyoming Game and Fish Department Updates. The Committee will receive updates from and study issues related to the Game and Fish Department, including trapping, commercial outfitting, and fishing outfitters.
Priority #: 5 Seminoe Pumped Storage Project Proposal.
The Committee will receive information associated with the proposed Seminoe pumped storage project for energy storage.
Priority #: 6 Agency Reports.
The Committee will receive reports from various agencies related to travel, recreation, wildlife, and cultural resources, including entities related to arts, humanities, and the Office of Tourism. The Committee will review the reports and consider any necessary legislation in response to the reports.
Meeting Dates:
• May 27th and 28th, Casper
• September 8th and 9th, Jackson
• November 12th and 13th, Cheyenne
Update on the Protect Wyoming PAC:
Protect Wyoming was launched after the failed attempt by Senator Bob Ide of Casper to sell all public lands in Wyoming. Protect Wyoming plans to educate voters about legislators who value public lands, public wildlife, and scientific management. On April 15, they released their champions and sellouts list and provided a scorecard for all legislators.
The Champions:
Rep. Andrew Byron, District 22, Lincoln and Teton Counties
Rep. Karlee Provenza, District 45, Albany County
Sen. Tara Nethercott, District 4, Laramie County
Rep. Elissa Campbell, District 56, Natrona County
Sen. Eric Barlow, District 23, Campbell County
Sen. Chris Rothfuss, District 9, Albany County
Rep. Steve Harshman, District 37, Natrona County
Sen. Stacy Jones, District 13, Sweetwater County
Sen. Wendy Schuler, District 15, Uinta County
Rep. Julie Jarvis, District 57, Natrona County
Sen. Bill Landon, District 27, Natrona County
Rep. Bill Davis, District 47, Carbon and Sweetwater Counties
The Sellouts:
Rep. Dalton Banks, District 26, Park and Big Horn Counties
Sen. Tim French, District 18, Park County
Rep. Paul Hoeft, District 25, Park County
Sen. Dan Laursen, District 19, Big Horn and Park Counties
Sen. Laura Pearson, District 14, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, and Unita Counties
Sen. Bob Ide, District 29, Natrona County
Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, District 50, Park County
Rep. Bob Wharff, District 49, Uinta County
Rep. Nina Webber, District 24, Park County
Rep. Bill Allemand, District 58, Natrona County
Rep. John Winters, District 28, Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs and Park Counties
It’s hard to believe, but it’s already time to begin planning for the 2026 Wyoming Outdoors publication. As you know, this magazine is an excellent marketing tool for your outfitting business, reaching a wide audience of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
Our current circulation is 100,000 copies, providing outstanding exposure for your operation. If you would like to advertise or renew your current ad, please contact the WYOGA office at gro.agoyw@agoyw.
Important Deadlines:
September 15, 2026: Bios are due and display ads reserved.
November 1, 2026: Display ads are due to Mark Schuler and payments in full to the office.
November 17-21, 2026: Wyoming Outdoors goes to print
December 15, 2026: Wyoming Outdoors will be mailed to the non-residents
Thank you for your continued support for this project.
CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners voted on Tuesday to increase non-resident preference points effective January 1, 2027, a motion that was passed unanimously after some discussion.
The Commission voted to increase non-resident preference point prices for elk, deer, and antelope to the maximum amount permitted by the Wyoming State Legislature, which allowed limited increase in preference points and license increases per Wyoming Statute Section 23-2-101 in 2018.
“We need to be prepared to do more for our Game and Fish employees,” Commissioner Bill Mai said. “Costs have increased across the board - we have to be ready to cover that.”
The increases will include the following:
• Antelope preference points: $31 to $75, a $44 increase.
• Deer preference points: $41 to $75, a $34 increase.
• Elk preference points: $52 to $75, a $23 increase.
Moose and sheep preference points had previously been increased to the maximum allowed on January 1, 2018.
Game and Fish Chief Fiscal Officer Meredith Wood said that the revenue increase, based on current preference point sales, will provide the Department with an annual revenue increase of an estimated $14,654,829.
This is the first increase for non-resident preference points since 2018. During her presentation, Wood noted that since 2008, there has been a cumulative inflation of 68.3%, with a 35.7% inflation increase since 2020.
Commissioner John Masterson said that the increase in preference points is a necessary step in managing the increased cost of wildlife management for the Department, and will ultimately benefit residents and visitors alike.
“This increase is a way of preserving a way of life that we love,” Masterson said. “I’m very confident that the agency does a great job of administering the agency dollars, and I think everybody who looks at the department budget would say that they are responsible, transparent stewards of that money.”
Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce said after the meeting that the decision to increase non-resident preference points is an important step forward in matching revenue with more than a decade of cost increases to the agency.
“An overall hunting license increase has not occurred since 2008,” Bruce said. “It is good to see the support from the Commissioners in looking out for the future of wildlife management, however, the costs to our mission continue to grow exponentially. This is a move in the right direction, and we will continue to work to find creative opportunities to generate additional funds that will benefit wildlife in our state.”
Dear Partners and Conservation Leaders,
We are excited to extend this invitation to the 2026 Wyoming Sportsperson Conservation Forum.
You are the backbone of Wyoming’s conservation legacy, and we would like you to provide your perspectives and be involved in the important discussions that will take place at this event.
To ensure a broad range of voices, we would appreciate you sharing this invitation and the following registration discount with your groups.
EVENT INFORMATION:
Hosted by the Governor and Wyoming Game and Fish Department
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lunch will be provided
CAM-PLEX, Gillette, WY
Addressing Wyoming’s most pressing conservation issues
Mule Deer Conservation Strategy: An overview of current management and recovery efforts, as well as Game and Fish’s new strategic approach.
Engagement and involvement: Guidance on how the public can effectively make its voices heard in the management process.
Effective policy making: An analysis of the components required to build durable and lasting conservation policy.
Landowner investments in conservation: A look at the role private landowners play in wildlife habitat and how sportspeople can foster better partnerships.
Public access: Perspectives on maintaining and expanding access to Wyoming’s outdoors.
Wildland fire recovery: Lessons learned from recent fires and current strategies for prevention and habitat restoration.
