Wyoming Hunting

Table of Contents

Wyoming seems to be more popular for its beautiful landscape than its hunting scenery. But it is one of the states with great hunting opportunities especially for big game such as antelopes, turkeys, bears, elks, bison, turkeys, mountain lions and deer. There are about 130 Wyoming hunting zones.

Wyoming Hunting Regulations

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department provides hunting laws and regulations that all hunters in the state must abide by, regardless of if they are residents or non-residents. Some of the most important laws and regulations are:

Wyoming General Hunting Laws and Regulations

These are some of the acceptable and unlawful practices while hunting in Wyoming. They include the following:

Hunting weapons that are allowed to take games in Wyoming are crossbows, longbows, shotguns with at most 10 gauge, handguns, rifles, and air guns. Any other type of firearm is prohibited, as long as the Department of Natural Resources does not make a special exception for it.
The use of electronic callers is allowed while hunting except for the taking of turkeys and migratory birds such as rails, waterfowls. The use of electronic calls to hunt crows is also acceptable.
It is a prohibition to spotlight wildlife and games from vehicles, as well as the illumination of vehicle headlights. This is regardless of if the vehicle is used for hunting activities or not.
If you are hunting, chasing, or pursuing furbearers in the night, you must make use of an unceasing while visible light, and that must be at least a quarter of a mile away. For two or more people hunting or trapping furbearers at night, only one white light is acceptable, and it can be in the possession of any of the hunters. However, for hunting games like raccoons, foxes, and coyotes with an electronic call from a standing position, a single light beam is allowed, and it could be any color.
If you are pursuing coyotes with hunting dogs, it is a prohibition to make use of any other hunting weapon or device from sunset to sunrise.
It is a prohibition to hunt from motor vehicles, but exceptions are made for boats and any other type of machinery permitted for farm activities. It is a prohibition to hunt small game from boats or any other type of power craft, but some small game, such as muskrat, otters, and minks are exceptions.
It is a prohibition to make use of aircraft and drones while hunting in or to assist in any Wyoming hunting activity.
The use of arrows coated with poisons and explosives is illegal for Wyoming hunting. Furthermore, it is a prohibition to attach crossbows or longbows to any kind of electrical or mechanical device that has features capable of illuminating light beams.
It is a prohibition to discharge a firearm from across a Wyoming highway or public road.
It is a prohibition to hunt any game that is not a waterfowl between 30 minutes prior to sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset in deer firearm season, youth deer firearm season, and deer muzzleloader season if you are not putting on the required vest, overall or jacket with either the solid hunter orange color or the camouflage orange color. This regulation applies to both Wyoming public hunting lands and private hunting lands.
You can make use of crossbows and longbows to hunt only legal games in Wyoming. But it is a prohibition to use crossbows for migratory game birds. Hunters that make use of longbows are allowed to use either a normal handheld release device or a mechanical device that has working safety. Hunters are allowed to cock crossbows with a device, as long as the device has a working safety with stock longer than 25 inches.

Concealed Handgun License for Hunting in Wyoming

If you have a Wyoming concealed handgun license, you may conceal a handgun while trapping or hunting. However, it is a prohibition to use the handgun to kill, shoot or attempt to shoot at wildlife or game animals.

Using Firearm Suppressors to Hunt in Wyoming

If you are allowed to make use of firearm suppressors or silencers either according to Wyoming or federal laws, then it is not a prohibition to take legal games with the suppressor. In this case, you must possess a valid Wyoming license to use the suppressor.

Hunting with Permission in Wyoming

Before you can hunt games in Wyoming private lands, you need to first obtain written permission for either trapping or hunting from the landowner, regardless of if it is a posted land or not. Exceptions are allowed for landowners hunting on their properties. Private land hunting permissions are available in the various district offices for the wildlife division at the Wyoming Department of Natural Resources.

Possession of Games in Wyoming

Regulations concerning the possession of games and wildlife in Wyoming include the following:

It is a prohibition to capture or sell live games that are furbearers, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. An exception is allowed for those with propagation permits.
Sales of furbearer hides that are taken during the open season must not exceed the open season, if not, they must be held for sale after the close of the season.
It is a prohibition to take furbearers alive when it is open hunting and trapping seasons.
To purchase dry fur or green fur in Wyoming, you must own the state valid fur dealer’s permit.
It is illegal to purchase, possess or trade birds that are nongame and their body parts, regardless of if they are alive or dead.

Open Carry While Hunting.

It is legal to open carry while hunting in Wyoming, but it is a prohibition to make use of firearms to take wildlife during bow hunting or in an archery season.

Hunter harassment law in Wyoming states that it is a prohibition to prevent licensed hunting in the state deliberately by:

Interfering with a person who has a license to carry out a lawful hunting activity.
Taking part in an activity that endangers wildlife or affects their behavior in such a way that prevents lawful hunting activity.

Furthermore, it is illegal to:

Disobey any instruction from a peace officer or law enforcement officer, ordering you to stop any activity that violates this section of the law.
Disobey the counsel of any organization appealing with its members to stop any activity violating this law.

Wyoming Hunting Licenses, Permits, and Tags.

Wyoming hunting licenses are issued based on residency, and the age of the applicant. Permits, tangs, and stamps, on the other hand, are issued for only specific games in the state.

Wyoming hunting licenses, permits, and tags include the following:

Hunting Licenses

Licenses under this category are:

Residents Annual License

This is an annual hunting license available for residents of Wyoming that are between the ages of 18 and 65. The license is valid for one year and It costs $19.

Youth Annual License

This is an annual hunting license available for residents and non-residents. The age requirement to apply for the license is 17 years old and younger. The license is valid for one year and it costs $10 for both residents and non-residents.

Non Residents Annual License

This is an annual hunting license available for non-residents of Wyoming that are between 18 years or older. The license is valid for one year and It costs $125.

Residents Reduced-Cost Senior License

This is an annual hunting license available for senior residents of Wyoming that are 66 years and older or those born after the 1st of January 1938. It costs $10.

Resident Senior License

This is an annual hunting license available for senior residents of Wyoming that are born on the 31st of December 1937 or before them. It is free of charge.

Non-residents 3 Days Hunting License

This is an annual hunting license available for non-residents of Wyoming that are between 18 years or older. The license is valid for 3 days, and it does not allow the hunting of deer, furbearers, and turkeys. It costs $40.

Wyoming Apprentice License

The licenses under this category are only valid for residents and non-residents that are yet to complete the required hunter’s education course. Hence, they can only hunt under the supervision of a licensed Wyoming hunter.

They include the following:

Resident Apprentice Annual Licenses

This is an annual hunting license available for residents of Wyoming that are apprentices. The age requirement to apply is between 18 years and 65 years old. The license is valid for one year and It costs $19.

Youth Apprentice Annual License

This is an annual hunting license available for residents and non-residents that are apprentices. The age requirement to apply for the license is 17 years old and younger. The license is valid for one year and it costs $10 for both residents and non-residents.

Non-resident Apprentice Annual Licenses

This is an annual hunting license available for non-residents that are apprentices. The age requirement to apply is between 18 years and older. The license is valid for one year and It costs $125.

Wyoming Waterfowl Stamps

To hunt waterfowls, you need to purchase a valid Wyoming waterfowl stamp. They include the following:

Residents and Non-residents Wetland Habitat Stamp

This stamp is available for residents and non-residents. The age requirement to apply is 18 years and older. The stamp costs $15.

Residents Reduced Cost Senior Wetland Habitat Stamp

This stamp is available for senior residents of Wyoming that are 66 years and older or those born after the 1st of January 1938. It costs $15.

Residents Senior Wetland Habitat Stamp

This stamp is available for senior residents of Wyoming that are born on the 31st of December 1937 or before them. It is free of charge.

Federal Duck Stamp

This stamp is available for anyone that is 16 years or older and it costs $25.

Wyoming Turkey Permits.

Turkey permits available for games in Wyoming include the following:

Adult Turkey Permit for Residents and Non-residents

This permit is available for adult residents and non-residents. There are 2 types based on the spring and fall season, and they both cost $24.

Youth Turkey Permit for Residents and Non-residents

This permit is available for youth residents and non-residents that are 17 years and younger. There are 2 types based on the spring and fall season, and they both cost $12.

Reduced Cost Senior Turkey Permit

This permit is available for only senior residents of Wyoming that are 66 years and older or those born after the 1st of January 1938. There are 2 types based on the spring and fall season, and they both cost $12.

Residents Senior Turkey Permit

This permit is available for senior residents of Wyoming that are born on the 31st of December 1937 or before them. There are 2 types based on the spring and fall season, and they are both free.

Wyoming Deer Permits

Permits Required to hunt deer in Wyoming include the following:

Adult Deer Permit for Residents and Non-residents

This permit is available for adult residents and non-residents. There are 2 types of antlerless deer or either-sex deer and they cost $15 and $24 respectively.

Youth Deer Permit for Residents and Non-residents

This permit is available for youth residents and non-residents that are 17 years and younger. There are 2 types for antlerless deer or either-sex deer and they cost $15 and $12 respectively.

Reduced Cost Senior Deer Permit

This permit is available for only senior residents of Wyoming that are 66 years and older or those born after the 1st of January 1938. There are 2 types for antlerless deer or either-sex deer and they cost $15 and $12 respectively.

Residents Senior Deer Permit

This permit is available for senior residents of Wyoming that are born on the 31st of December 1937 or before them. There are 2 types for antlerless deer or either-sex deer and they cost $15 and $12 respectively, and they are both free.

Wyoming Fishing Licenses, Permits, and Tags.

Fishing licenses, permits, and tags in Wyoming include the following:

Residents Fishing License

This license is available for residents of Wyoming that are between the ages of 16 and 65. It costs $19.

Resident Reduced Cost Senior Fishing License

This fishing license is available for senior residents that are 66 years and older or those born after the 1st of January 1938. It costs $10.

One Day Fishing License

This license is available for residents and non-residents and it is valid for one day. It costs $11.

Annual Non-residents Fishing License

This fishing license is available for non-residents that are 18 years old or more. It is valid for a year and costs $40.

3 Days Nonresident Tourist Fishing License

This fishing license is available for non-residents that are 18 years old or more. It is valid for 3 days and costs $19.

Duplicate License

Duplicate licenses to replace missing, stolen, or destroyed licenses in Wyoming cost $4.

Wyoming Hunting Season 2020/21

Hunting season in Wyoming varies from one game to another. It is important for hunters in the state to know the hunting season for the game they want to take.

The 2020/21 hunting season for various wildlife in Wyoming includes the following:

Wyoming Deer Hunting Seasons

General Hunting Season (10th of October to 1st of December)

Wyoming Turkey Hunting Season

General fall Hunting Season (30th of August to 31st of January)
Spring Youth Hunting Season (8th of April to 14th of April)
Spring General Hunting Season (15th of April to 25th of May)

Wyoming Antelope Hunting Season

General Hunting Season (1st of October to 29th of November)

Wyoming Elk Hunting Season

General Hunting Season (15th of August to 31st of January)

Wyoming Moose Hunting Season

General Hunting Season (1t of September to 31st of October)

Wyoming Bison Hunting Seasons

General Hunting Season (15th of August to 31st of January)

Wyoming Black Bear Hunting Season

General Hunting Season (15th of August to 31st of October)

Wyoming Mountain Lion Hunting Season

General Hunting Season (1st of September to 31st of March.

Wyoming Small Games Hunting Seasons

Cottontail and Hare Hunting Seasons (30th of August to 31st of March)
Quail Hunting Seasons (18th of September to 31st of January)
Male Pheasants Hunting Seasons (9th of October to 31st of December)
Squirrel Hunting Season (30th of August to 31st of March)

Dates for the start and end of a game hunting season will vary based on the different hunting Zones in the state.

Wyoming Wildlife, Games, and Fish

There are various games and wildlife available in Wyoming, and they include the following:

Wyoming Deer Hunting

Deer hunting in Wyoming is common statewide. The species common to the northern part of the salmon river is the whitetail deer. They are hunted in the fall period, even more, than the mule deer. However, mule deer are more occurring in the southern part of Wyoming.

Wyoming Turkey Hunting

Turkey hunting in Wyoming is common around rivers in the state. But they are more established in Weiser Payette and Snake Rivers. . You can find turkeys in federal and state hunting lands.

Wyoming Fox Hunting

There are various types of fox species available for hunting in Wyoming. The red fox is common in almost all regions of the state. There are the kit foxes that are usually rare but inhabit the southern part of Wyoming. Kit foxes are miniature and only weigh around 3 to 6 pounds with lengths between 18 to 21 inches. The largest fox species in Wyoming is the gray fox.

Wyoming Quail Hunting

The most common quail in Wyoming is the California quail found in the south-central part of the state. They can be found along water bodies like streams and rivers.

Wyoming Pheasants Hunting

Pheasants hunting in Wyoming takes place in clearwater areas. However, their populations have reduced in recent years due to new farming methods and increased urbanization in the state. But there are still a lot of wild pheasants available in Wyoming.

Wyoming Public Shooting Ranges for Hunting Practices

Shooting ranges accessible for the public in Wyoming include the following:

Douglas Trap Club.
Cody Shooting Complex.
Cheyenne Trap & Skeet Club.
Converse County Shooting Range/ Park.
Worland Shooting Complex.
Sweet Water Trap Club.
Stuckenhoff Shooters Complex.
Rocky Mountain Gun Club.
The Pinedale Rifle & Pistol Club.
Rawlins Outdoor Shooting Complex.
Overthrust Gun Club.
Laramie Rifle Range.
Pine Bluffs Sportsman’s Club.
Jackson Hole Gun Club.
Gillette Gun Club.

Wyoming Hunting Lands for Sale and Lease

Hunting lands for sale in Wyoming include the following:

16,175 acres of Open Lock Ranch is located in the heart of the Bighorn Basin in northern Wyoming. -Worland, Wyoming (Hot Springs County)
Rawlins, Wyoming (Sweetwater County), 40 acres.
Baggs, Wyoming (Carbon County), 160 acres.
Kaycee, Wyoming (Johnson County), 5,328 acres.
Riverton, Wyoming (Fremont County), 1,560 acres.
Pinedale, Wyoming (Sublette County), 49,808 acres.
Encampment, Wyoming (Carbon County), 172 acres.
Elk Mountain, Wyoming (Carbon County) 27 acres.
Ten Sleep, Wyoming (Washakie County), 6,700 acres.

Hunting lands for lease in Wyoming include the following:

53 acres bordering over 500 acres of secluded National Forest and Grasslands behind a locked gate for Lots of Mule deer hunting and a few Whitetail, Weston County.
Prime Irrigated Ranch for Lease (Hundreds of Antelope & Abundant Pheasants). Big Horn County, 1300 acres.
3500 acre working ranch on the border of the Medicine Bow National Forest. Hunting Elk, mule deer, Antelope and good fishing in Carbon county.
160 acres of private land managed for white tail deer in the middle of, well over a thousand acres of private land, in Fremont county.
5200 acres for Good antelope, deer, and game bird hunting with mountain lions, and coyotes hunting in Hot spring county.
Trophy Whitetail Hunt in Sheridan county, 12,000 acres.

Wyoming Public Hunting Lands

Public hunting lands in Wyoming include the following:

7277 Acres in Converse county for hunting Whitetail Deer, Elk, Turkey, and Exotics.
8776 Acres in Uinta county for hunting Whitetail Deer, Elk, Predator, and Exotics.
83174 Acres in Park county for hunting Whitetail Deer, Elk, and Exotics.
75899 Acres in Platte county for hunting Whitetail Deer, Elk, Turkey, Dove, Duck, Predator, and Exotics.
225451 Acres in Lincoln county for hunting Whitetail Deer, Elk, Dove, Duck, and Exotics