Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I find a licensed outfitter?

Q. What are the requirements to become a licensed guide?

Q. If I am with an outfitter, what requirements must I meet?

Q. I plan to hunt and camp in an area frequented by grizzlies. Can I count on bear spray to deter bears?

Q. I hear that only boned big game meat can be transported from Wyoming due to concerns about spreading chronic wasting disease. Is that right?

Q. I have an elk license but will be unable to go hunting. Can I give the license to a friend?

Q. Can I use a crossbow in Wyoming’s archery seasons?

Q. This is my first year applying for moose. What area should I apply for?

Q. How can I find out if the Game and Fish has doe antelope licenses available?

Q. Are there any ''secrets'' that will help me draw my antelope license?

Q. Is it true nonresidents cannot hunt in national forest wilderness areas without a guide?

Q. Why should I buy a cow elk license?

Q. Why do you have limited quota hunting areas?

Q. Do hard winters cause cutbacks in licenses?

Q. If I shoot an elk and pack out a quarter at a time, what do I do with the tag?

Q. When do I have to leave evidence of sex on a big game carcass I harvest?

Q. Can I legally haul a friend's elk back to town if he isn't with me?

Q. How much meat can I get from a deer?

Q. How much meat can I expect from my antelope?

Q. How long should an antelope carcass be aged before butchering?

Q. Is it OK to construct a blind to hunt antelope? When can I construct it?

Q. How can I find names of landowners to get permission to hunt?

Q. Can I hunt checkerboard lands?

Q. Why don't you have more late-season trophy deer hunts?

Q. Why do you have deer regions for nonresidents and not residents?

Q. Can nonresidents get an elk license after the drawing?

Q.I submitted my depredation application to a couple regional offices. When will I get called to hunt?

Q. How can I find out if you are extending the elk season?

Q. Do I need to buy an archery license for both my deer and elk license?

Q. How do I find a licensed outfitter?

A. You may contact the State Board of Outfitters at (800) 264-0981, or look for the list on the Web site: http://outfitters.state.wy.us. Hunters should request to see the outfitter license to ensure they are authorized to operate in the area you are hunting.

Q. What are the requirements to become a licensed guide?

A. Guides must be employed by, or under contract with, a licensed outfitter and the license must be signed on the back by that outfitter.

Q. If I am with an outfitter, what requirements must I meet?

A. The outfitter must be listed on the hunting license in conformance with the Hunter Responsibility Law. That law (which is available on the State Board’s Web site: http://outfitters.state.wy.us) makes it illegal to knowingly book with an illegal outfitter.

Q. I plan to hunt and camp in an area frequented by grizzlies. Can I count on bear spray to deter bears?

A.Pepper spray, which is sometimes referred to as bear spray, has a good track record against bear attacks. Most bear experts think that your chances of avoiding injury are better with pepper spray as your means of defense rather that a gun. The larger canisters – 8 ounces or more – carried in a readily accessible holster, are recommended. Keep in mind the spray is to be used in event of an attack only. It is not to be used like insect repellent or to spray around a campsite to repel bears. Elk hunters in Grand Teton National Park are reminded they are required to carry and have readily available bear pepper spray.

Q. I hear that only boned big game meat can be transported from Wyoming due to concerns about spreading chronic wasting disease. Is that right?

A. game and Fish regulations are designed to minimize the possibility of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease by controlling the transportation of carcasses between hunt zones. Resident and nonresident hunters who take a deer, elk or moose within the CWD zone and wish to transport that carcass outside of the CWD zone must ensure that the head and all portions of the spinal column are either left at the site of the kill or disposed of in an approved landfill. Evidence of sex and species are required in accordance with the provisions found in the current hunting regulations. Only the following portions of any deer, elk or moose taken from any other state, province or country within areas designated as positive for CWD may be imported into Wyoming: Edible portions with no part of the spinal column or head attached; cleaned hides without the head; skull plate and/or antlers cleaned of all meat and brain tissue; upper canine teeth; finished taxidermy mounts.

Q. I have an elk license but will be unable to go hunting. Can I give the license to a friend?

A.Wyoming regulation specifically prohibits the transfer of licenses from one individual to another. If you cannot go hunting then your license cannot legally be used. Wyoming regulation prohibits the taking of wildlife using another hunter’s license. It is much the same as with most licenses. For example, if you obtained a driver’s license and were unable to drive, you could not transfer it to another person.

Q. Can I use a crossbow in Wyoming’s archery seasons?

A. Yes. The crossbow must have a minimum 90-pound draw weight and a minimum draw length of 14 inches from front of bow to back of string in the cocked position.

Q. This is my first year applying for moose. What area should I apply for?

A. If you want to hunt a bull, it doesn't matter very much. You have no chance of drawing a license in the preference point drawing (75 percent of quota) but you will have a very slim chance in the random drawing for the remaining 25 percent of the quota. For nonresidents, there is a good chance of drawing an antlerless moose license without any preference points. You can check the drawing odds of areas you are interested in on the Game and Fish Web site. The application deadline for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat is Feb. 28.

Moose and sheep hunters are alerted that a bill has been filed in the current session of the Wyoming Legislature that would designate 25 percent of the quota to a random draw selection while allocating 75 percent of the quota in the preference point system. So if the bill passes, applicants without the maximum number of preference points could have a slight chance to draw a bull moose license in 2000.

Q. How can I find out if the Game and Fish has doe antelope licenses available?

A. The Game and Fish has a listing of all license agents who received doe/fawn antelope and deer licenses. Call (800) 842-1934 or (307) 777-4600 outside Wyoming to find out which license agents received doe/fawn licenses. Keep in mind that doe/fawn licenses are in short supply in most areas and were not available in many areas. Some areas sell out quickly, but other areas have a good supply. The Game and Fish advises hunters to have access lined up before buying a license in a private land area.

Q. Are there any ''secrets'' that will help me draw my antelope license?

A. There really aren't any secrets, but an understanding of the drawing process may be of benefit. In a nutshell, some areas are easier to draw than others. If there is a truism about drawing, it is that public land areas are generally more difficult to draw than private areas. It's not unusual for public land antelope areas to have three or four residents apply for every license. For nonresidents, it's even more difficult. If you apply for a license in a private land area, you''ll almost always improve your odds of drawing. But, you are strongly advised to have permission lined up to hunt before you apply.

Q. Is it true nonresidents cannot hunt in national forest wilderness areas without a guide?

A. Basically, that's right. Wyoming statute says nonresidents must have a licensed guide or resident companion to hunt big or trophy game in national forest wilderness areas. The resident companion will need to get a free non-commercial guide license from a Game and Fish office. The law does not prohibit nonresidents from hiking, fishing or hunting game birds or coyotes in wilderness areas. Only nonresident big and trophy game hunters must have a licensed guide or resident companion.

Q. Why should I buy a cow elk license?

A. With an antlerless elk license you usually get a longer season, and the hunter success is generally higher than for those who hunt only bulls. In many areas, the cow elk season opens earlier and stays open later increasing opportunity and making it easier to plan hunts. Cow elk licenses are issued by the G&F to attain specific management objectives for a given herd unit. Hunters who purchase these licenses not only increase their chances of getting an elk, but also providing a valuable contribution to the management goals of the area.

Q. Why do you have limited quota hunting areas?

A. Limited quota hunting areas have been established for all big game species, but Wyoming's most popular big game animals, deer and elk, have areas for both general and limited quota license holders. All antelope, moose, sheep and goat areas are limited quota. When an area goes limited quota it is to preserve the quality of hunting within that area. It also serves to spread out hunting pressure since holders of limited quota licenses cannot also hunt general license areas and general license holders cannot participate in limited quota hunts. Most elk and deer limited quota areas are fairly easy to hunt and/or close to population centers. When these factors are present, it is possible for an area to get excessive hunting pressure and harvest which lower the quality of the hunting experience and generally severely reduce numbers of bucks or bulls. Limited quota management allows wildlife managers to more closely structure the harvest, and regulate bull/cow- buck/doe ratios where there is a problem. Areas which have heavy cover and extremely rugged country are not usually limited quota since those factors naturally regulate harvest. The down side of limited quota is that it reduces hunter opportunity in an area. Deer and elk hunters have told G&F that they want to hunt these species every year. Before any area is converted from general to limited quota, public desires, habitat conditions and population objectives are all taken into account and the proposal is taken to public meetings.

Q. Do hard winters cause cutbacks in licenses?

A. Hunters will likely see conservative quotas in a number of areas due to losses this winter. It is still too early to set quotas since we''re not done with the winter. Wildlife managers are conducting aerial and ground surveys of game herds and will present their recommendations during big game public meetings in April. At this time, it appears the most severe weather is in the northeast and extreme western Wyoming.

Q. If I shoot an elk and pack out a quarter at a time, what do I do with the tag?

A. Large animals like elk are frequently packed out in quarters or pieces. If this procedure becomes necessary, the carcass coupon or tag should remain with the person packing out the animal. Remember that whenever a kill is made under any circumstances, the normal tagging procedure as outlined on your license must be followed. Simply detach the tag from the license, cut out the entire wedge for the day and month and sign the coupon. If you need to leave your animal to get help to pack it out the tag must be left attached to the carcass.

Q. When do I have to leave evidence of sex on a big game carcass I harvest?

A. Wyoming regulations require evidence of sex to be left attached to any carcass taken in a hunt area where the taking of either sex is either controlled or prohibited. The evidence can be either the visible sex organs or the head with horns or antlers attached. The evidence, including the head if it is to be used as evidence of sex, must remain naturally attached to a quarter, or an edible part of a quarter, if the animal is boned or quartered. The evidence must remain naturally attached until the carcass is in the residence of the hunter or until it is delivered to a custom meat processor licensed by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.

Q. Can I legally haul a friend's elk back to town if he isn't with me?

A. You can transport game for another person if the game is properly tagged with the carcass coupon detached from the license of the person who harvested the animal. If the game is to be transported out of state by someone other than the license holder, an interstate game tag must be obtained. Interstate game tags cost $8 and are available from game wardens, Game and Fish regional offices and some taxidermists and meat processors.

Q. How much meat can I get from a deer?

A. We get this question every hunting season, usually from hunters who have had their animal processed commercially and don't think they've gotten all their meat back. The average mule deer buck has a live weight of 150-250 pounds. Dressed weights will normally range from 120-190 pounds. When the carcass is further reduced (skinned, head removed and boned) the weight is reduced again. If the animal was shot in a major meaty area such as the hindquarters, or if a lot of trimming is involved due to dirt or a dried crust on the meat, there is more loss. It is not unusual for a forkhorn or doe to yield no more than 50 pounds of boned meat. Hunters can increase the yield by making better shots, keeping the carcass clean, and not skinning the animal until it is ready to be processed.

Q. How much meat can I expect from my antelope?

A. Bucks average 75-80 pounds field dressed and does 65-70 pounds. The amount of packaged meat depends on how the animal is processed. Some hunters leave a substantial amount of bone, while others bone everything. If you bone the carcass you can expect about 30 pounds for does and 35-40 pounds for bucks. These weights can be affected substantially if the carcass has dried out due to excessive aging or if there is gunshot loss.

Q. How long should an antelope carcass be aged before butchering?

A.In general, smaller animals like antelope and young deer do not benefit from aging. The aging process begins as soon as the animal is killed. Carcasses which are chilled slowly age faster than carcasses which are cooled quickly. Antelope are frequently taken when the weather is fairly warm, and from a practical standpoint, by the time you get the animal home and processed it has aged sufficiently. With larger animals such as big deer, elk or moose, aging can help, but for antelope it's generally not needed.

Q. Is it OK to construct a blind to hunt antelope? When can I construct it?

A. There are no restrictions to using a blind to hunt antelope, or for that matter anything else. It is permissible to build a temporary blind on public land and the structure must be removed after the season. Any blind construction on private land is an agreement between the hunter and landowner. There really aren't any regulations specifying a starting date for blind construction.

Q. How can I find names of landowners to get permission to hunt?

A. Many of the G&F regional offices have listings of some of the landowners for their area, however these lists are by no means comprehensive. G&F headquarters in Cheyenne also has listings of landowners for some portions of the state. A few chambers of commerce also have names of local landowners. Local G&F wardens and biologists may also have names of landowners. Sometimes, local businesses such as sporting goods stores may also be able to help. And of course you can always drive around your hunt area and inquire at ranch houses. Hunters should be aware that trespass fees are common and the amounts may vary from landowner to landowner.

Q. Can I hunt checkerboard lands?

A. "Checkerboard" is the term given to alternating sections of private and BLM lands stretching for some 300 miles along the Union Pacific Railroad in southern Wyoming. Even though this area is approximately 50 percent public, the same requirements apply as with accessing any public lands, namely, you must have public access to public lands to be able to hunt there. If the access to public lands is on a private road, landowner permission must be obtained. A person can hunt on the BLM lands provided there is public access to those sections. A person who carefully follows a BLM land status map while driving along a public road, can often figure out which sections are public and private and have a successful hunt. However, it makes for a much more trouble free hunt if permission is first obtained to avoid the concern and possibility of trespassing.

Q. Why don't you have more late-season trophy deer hunts?

A. Wyoming has a few areas where deer seasons run into November, however the majority of the state is closed by that time. November is when mule deer are heavily into the rut and extensive hunting in many areas of the state during this period could skew the buck/doe ratios to unacceptable levels. The absence of November hunts generally contributes to more trophy animals during the following October seasons. There are however, some November limited quota hunts in a few areas as well as general license hunting in deer areas 1-6 in the northeast corner of the state.

Q. Why do you have deer regions for nonresidents and not residents?

A. It's all a matter of hunter habits and spreading out hunting pressure. There are more than 160 deer areas which have been divided into 15 separate nonresident deer regions. Each region has a nonresident quota based on the deer population in that area. Nonresidents may apply for a general license for a specific region and can hunt any general areas within that region, but cannot go to other regions. Even though the resident general license is good for any general area in the state, we know that the average Wyomingite prefers to hunt deer in areas close to home. This means for example, that even though Cheyenne has more hunters than Evanston, not many Cheyenne residents will go that far to hunt deer. With nonresidents however, it's another matter. Many come a thousand miles or more to hunt deer and driving another few hundred miles is of little consequence. Without nonresident deer regions, the liklihood would exist that a disproportionate number of license holders would choose to hunt whatever was the "hot" region for that year, possibly creating excessive pressure in some areas. The Game and Fish has discussed the region concept for residents, as well as a regional concept for elk, but at this time has not found it necessary.

Q. Can nonresidents get an elk license after the drawing?

A. You bet. Residents and nonresidents who do not already have an elk license can buy an elk license leftover from earlier drawings. Many of the seasons available run until late November or into December. For more information call (307) 777-4600.

Q.I submitted my depredation application to a couple regional offices. When will I get called to hunt?

A. Probably never, but a few people at the top of the list may get a chance. Although depredation seasons get a lot of attention, they rarely occur. When they do, generally just a few hunters are needed to address the problem. The Game and Fish implemented the depredation application system of submitting applications to each regional office before Oct. 31 to make it fairer to everyone. But with the volume of applications, the chances are realistically slim to actually hunt.

Q. How can I find out if you are extending the elk season?

A. Season extensions are very rare. If an extension occurs, the G&F will inform newspapers and radio and TV stations. Extensions usually occur when low harvest during the regular season is likely to result in later damage to winter range or provate property. Extensions also are almost always for antlerless elk only. But just because the harvest in an area is less than desired does not mean the season will be extended.

Q. Do I need to buy an archery license for both my deer and elk license?

A. You need to buy an archery license in addition to your deer and elk license to hunt during the archery pre-season. You do not need to buy separate archery licenses for elk, deer, antelope or whatever other big game you may be hunting with bow and arrow. The archery license is required of all archers who have a regular, not "archery only" license. Holders of archery only licenses do not need the separate archery permit.