CHEYENNE - Using your computer to apply for elk, deer and antelope in May won’t only make you popular with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department but also with friends, relatives and 2007 graduates.

By applying online in the May 1-31 resident application period, prospective hunters can receive free shipping any where in the United States on any of the hundreds of merchandise items sold by the Game and Fish.

"This promotion is using the new online big game application to help acquaint residents to the Game and Fish shopping opportunities," said Jennifer Wagner, who oversees Game and Fish retail sales.

When hunters are completing their online big game application, they will be offered a link to the Game and Fish online store and the free shipping. Applicants during May can purchase as many items as they would like and have them shipped for no charge to one address anywhere in the United States. Each big game applicant can take advantage of the offer one time to send friends, relatives - or themselves - Game and Fish retail products ranging from jackets and caps to books and sausage seasoning.

"Applicants may want to consider using the free shipping offer to send a graduation gift," Wagner said. Profits from merchandise sales help fund wildlife habitat enhancement, conservation education and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming.

In the first year big game hunters can apply for licenses online, the system has been well received, reports Game and Fish License Manager Jean Cole.

In application periods already completed - spring turkey and all big game except for resident elk, deer and antelope - 29 percent of all applications received were online. The overall percentage of participation of residents and nonresidents was nearly equal. Highest online participation rates were nonresident mountain goat 71 percent, bighorn sheep 60 percent and moose 55 percent.

"Hopefully, the free product shipping will serve as an incentive to resident elk, deer and antelope hunters to surpass those rates," Cole said.

Residents can apply for these species online May 1-31 at http://gf.state.wy.us and going to the online application link in the middle of the home page.
(contact: Jean Cole or Jennifer Wagner)