1/16/2006  -  CHEYENNE - 2006 could likely be the most important year for a nonresident to apply for a Wyoming elk, deer or antelope license.

Beginning this year, nonresident applicants for these species have the opportunity to begin accruing preference points for future drawings. Beginning in 2007, 75 percent of the quota for each area will be drawn from the pool of applicants with the most preference points. The remaining 25 percent of the quota will be issued in a random drawing from all the applicants who were unsuccessful in the preference point drawing.

With many sought-after nonresident elk, deer and antelope licenses having slim drawing odds of 20 percent or less, nonresident hunters ever hoping to hunt in these prized areas are encouraged to apply this year. "We hear from many hunters at outdoor shows and over-the-phone that they have given up applying for Wyoming licenses after striking out in the drawing after a few tries," said Ron Arnold, Wyoming Game and Fish Department fiscal chief. "With a preference point system, hunters will be rewarded for their persistence and will be able to calculate how long it will take to draw a license."

Nonresident hunters can either elect to apply for a license with the preference point option that requires payment of additional money for the optional preference point or purchase the preference point without having to apply for the license. Preference points are $50 for elk, $40 deer and $30 antelope.

"Any nonresident ever interested in drawing one of the hard-to-draw elk, deer or antelope areas in Wyoming should begin getting preference points this year to get on top of the list," Arnold said.

Preference points must be purchased during the license application period, which ends Jan. 31 for elk and March 15 for deer and antelope.

Prospective nonresident hunters can receive an application booklet by calling (307) 777-4600 or download it from the Game and Fish Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us.
(contact: Ron Arnold)