Wyoming Game and Fish Department

NONRESIDENT BIG GAME APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2008

CHEYENNE- Even though 2007 isn't quite over, it's time out-of-state hunters started thinking about the 2008 hunting seasons. The Game and Fish will begin accepting nonresident applications for all big game species beginning January 1. In addition, Jan. 1- Feb. 29 is the resident application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat.

In recent weeks more than 59,000 application booklets were mailed to nonresident hunters who mailed in an application in 2007. An additional 35,000 postcards were sent out to individuals who applied on line.

According to license draw manager Aaron Pelto, postcards were sent instead of application booklets to hunters who applied on line to cut down on printing and postage costs. The postcards informed hunters of application periods and provided a number (307-777-4600) to call for those who wanted a printed application booklet.

As with most years, there are a few major changes that could affect hunt area applications. The most significant change is the division of nonresident deer Region C into two regions. Region C of previous years encompassed the north central portion of the state covering the eastern half of the Big Horn Mountains extending eastward to the Gillette area. The portion of Region C west of Interstate 25 will now be Region Y. This includes the Hunt areas 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 163, and 169. These areas are located west of Kaycee, Buffalo and Sheridan. The portion of old Region C east of the interstate is the new Region C. Each region will be assigned separate quotas and the drawing will be based on those quotas. Hunters who have been going to Region C for years will need to take extra care to note boundary changes and make certain they are applying for the appropriate region.

Another major change is that the cost of licenses has raised 20 percent. The increase affects both resident and nonresident hunting and fishing licenses. The last license fee increase took place in 2004. Youth hunting and fishing licenses did not increase, however the nonresident application fee did increase by $2. Applications listing license fees, hunt area maps and various regulations and hunting information are on the Game and fish website.

(Contact: Al Langston, (307) 777-4600)

-WGFD-