Wyoming Hunting Regulations (buy, stores, stats)

[jghymh]

We're moving to Wyoming, and one reason is the opportunity to hunt mule deer and elk.

Can the State of Wyoming make their regulations less clear? I doubt it. What a convoluted mess. Their printed materials aren't clear about much.

Can someone here let me in on some things?

For instance, is it generally possible to get a General Elk permit each year for a resident?

And how does the mule deer season work? There are both numbered units and lettered units. What's the difference?

Coming from Nebraska, I'm going to have to write a letter of thanks to the guys in Lincoln for doing such a good job and making things clear.

[The Grill God]

It is actually not that difficult, but I did grow up with it so maybe that's why I find it so clear. You can apply in May for Elk and Deer tags in limited quota areas, if you do not draw then yes you can go buy an over the counter general tag and hunt a general season. Part of the confusion is you may be looking at the application book which is pretty general as far as what it lists. The best thing to do is to pick up the final regulations from one of the sporting goods stores when you get there. I'm not sure about lettered areas I seem to remember someone talking about regions for out of state hunters but I don't remember seeing lettered areas for in state. You'll have a year once you get here to understand it anyhow since that is one of the requirements, but it really isn't to tuff.

[NVDave]

I'd have to agree. I've hunted in several states and the regs in Wyoming are absurdly complex. The thing that makes it the most complex is that there is a different map, with different game unit numbering for most species. The area designation for birds is not the same as for deer, and the area for deer isn't the same as elk.

It's absurd.

[The Grill God]

I will say compared to a couple of other states that I've seen they like to micro-manage a little more than most which probably explains a lot of that.

[jghymh]

So ... Do you usually plan on a limited-entry application, and then buy a general area tag if unsuccessful? If so, how do you choose a limited-entry area? I mean, it isn't particularly clear from the regulations which of the LE areas are difficult to draw, or how difficult each is to get a tag.

[The Grill God]

I'm now in Alaska and this was my last year hunting in Wyoming for a while, but I did grow up hunting there. I just wanted to qualify that first.

A lot of it depends on what you are wanting. An example......
For years all I wanted to do was get some meat every year. I just got an over the counter general license. I then decided that I would like a trophy elk. I started doing some research to figure out the best area to apply. I used the harvest reports which are really the best resource that I've found for Wyoming to try and establish a target area. I looked at branch bulls taken, odds of drawing, and success rate and to figure out where I would like to go. I also scouted the area to look for sign and any indication that it would be a good area. We drew the first year applying. Did very well. Then for two years did not draw so we bought an over the counter and went to our old area where we still filled out.
Sorry that was long in short yes you can get a general if you don't draw, and to figure it out use the harvest reports. Here's the link.
Wyoming Game and Fish - Harvest Reports - 49

[The Grill God]

DM me if you have any questions I haven't answered fully and I'll try to explain a little better

[skiseaman]

I have read both the resident and nonresident Wyoming manuals and they are the most confusing I have ever seen. I'm used to hunting in Colorado but I have bought some land in Wyoming and had hoped to hunt there eventually.

One thing I haven't found an answer to is the length of the hunting season for elk and deer. In Colorado, there are set seasons; in Wyoming manuals I see a start date but no ending date.

Can anyone straighten me out?

skiseaman

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by skiseaman

I have read both the resident and nonresident Wyoming manuals and they are the most confusing I have ever seen. I'm used to hunting in Colorado but I have bought some land in Wyoming and had hoped to hunt there eventually.

One thing I haven't found an answer to is the length of the hunting season for elk and deer. In Colorado, there are set seasons; in Wyoming manuals I see a start date but no ending date.

Can anyone straighten me out?

skiseaman

Look here...
Wyoming Game & Fish Regulations - 5395

Scroll down a bit and to deer season and elk season (PDF files, chapters 6 and 7).

[WI hunter]

Just curious if you need a special Bow permit when you draw a hunting license?