Hunting in Wyoming is almost as necessary now as back in the wild west. The state is primarily ranching and farming with some mining industries. Most people hunt and fish not just for sport but also to put meat on the table.
Big game animals are Antelope, Moose, Mule and Whitetail deer, Elk, Black Bear, Bison, and Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Turkey, Grouse, Duck, Geese, and Rabbits are also classified as game and have their own seasons. Big game licenses are available two ways;
1. You can make an application and enter a drawing. You must pick your hunt area, type of hunt(General, Limited Quota or Special;gun or archery; sex of prey), and resident or non-resident. The application form and instructions are available from the Wyoming Game and Fish website at gf.state.wy.us. There is room on the form for more than one hunter and a checkbox on the form to indicate a party hunt. Be sure to carefully study the G&F maps of the area you wish to hunt, each area is designated by number. Be aware that the same area has a different number for each species.
2. You can also purchase a General license over the counter from a licensed dealer. Many areas require a Special Permit and the General license is not valid in these areas.
Archers have a special early season in September, hunters may use bow and arrow or crossbows to hunt but you MAY NOT carry any firearm during an archery season.
Gun season starts in October.There are no restrictions on the carrying of firearms in Wyoming except that permits are required for concealed weapons. It is legal to transport a loaded firearm in your vehicle but safety dictates that the chamber be empty. Legal hunting rifles are defined as having a bore diameter of AT LEAST .223, muzzle loaders must have a bore diameter of AT LEAST .45. Center-fire pistols can be used to hunt big game if the bore diameter is AT LEAST .35 AND the bullet delivers AT LEAST 500 ft-pounds of impact at 100 yards. These regulations mean that you may NOT hunt with a .22-250 rifle or a .357 Magnum pistol. NOTE: These are NOT the complete firearms regulations and they are subject to change, so check the G&F website at gf.state.wy.us/. Hunters wishing too may use archery equipment during the gun season.
Bighorn Sheep, Moose and Bison permits are very limited and only available by drawing. General Deer, Elk, Antelope, Bear and Mountain Lion are available from a licensed dealer over the counter.
Some areas in Wyoming are designated as Wilderness Areas, out-of-state hunters MUST have a professional guide or local resident to hunt in wilderness areas. If your guide is a local resident then they need to obtain a free temporary Guide License from F&G.
ELK- If you have never hunted Elk but wish to, here are some tips.
1. Start reading about your prey. Elk are members of the deer family but much larger. Bull Elk often reach between 700 and 800 lbs.
2. Make sure your gun is up to the task. Elk have very large bones and thick muscles, your bullet must be able to penetrate deep. Some hunters use a .270 for Elk, this cartridge can kill an Elk at close range but most experts will tell you it is too light. Consider a .270 as the MINIMUM and go up from there. The .30-06 is a great cartridge as is the 7mm Mag. Any of the .30 caliber magnums are excellent on Elk. But remember, you will be hunting in the mountains, so you may want a lighter weight rifle.
3. Get in good physical condition, Elk habitat now is primarily in the mountains and they head into the deepest, darkest, steepest terrain you ever saw.
MULE DEER-Mule Deer are NOT Whitetails. Where a Whitetail will remain in the same area it's entire life the Mule Deer is a traveler (Elk also). Startle a Whitetail and it will move around you. Startle a Muley and it will take off and not stop until there are two ridges between where it was and where it is now. Mule Deer tend to be somewhat larger than the Whitetail. A .270 is a good gun for mule deer; since they prefer heavy cover, choose a 4X scope or 3X-9X variable scope. The Mule Deer is actually a plains animal but human development has forced it into the mountains where it has adapted well. Whitetail deer have been moving into the Mule Deer's range in the last few years and the two species have been inter-breeding. As a result there are some deer out there that have physical traits of both species.
ANTELOPE- A free ranging plains animal, the Antelope is a member of the goat family. Expect long range shots at rapidly moving targets. They have excellent eyesight and a sharp nose. Both males and females have horns. A full adult male weighs about 120 lbs.
BLACK BEAR-This license is available over the counter. Black Bears are located throughout the state and sometimes show up in the cities and towns.
GRIZZLY BEAR-The Grizzly is a protected species and may not be hunted. If you are hunting in Grizzly country you should carry Bear Deterrant Spray, more information on these products is available on the WILD page.
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