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WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION2021/22Hunting or Trapping SeasonsFurbearingAnimalNew trapping website availableThe Wyoming Game and Fish Department has recently launcheda new furbearer trapping informational website. See page 12for more details.wgfd.wyo.govWyoming Hunting Regulations 1
CONTENTSLicense/Stamp Fees.2Stop Poaching Program.2Department Office Telephone Numbers.3Access Yes Program.4Important Hunting/Trapping Information.4-7Terms and Definitions.4, 9Trapping Best Management Practices.5Furbearer Hunting or Trapping Areas Map.8Furbearing Animal Hunting or Trapping Seasons.9Trapper Education.9Trap/Snare Check Periods. 12Trap and Snare Specifications . 12Trap Identification . 13We Need Your Help . 14Bobcat Harvest Log. 15ANNUAL TRAPPINGREPORTS MATTERTrappers already report at a higher rate than biggame hunters, but we challenge you to make thateven higher! The survey will be available on theWyoming Game and Fish Department websiteshortly after the furbearer season ends.You can find the survey at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/HarvestSurveys. Thank you for taking the time to respond to the survey!LICENSE/STAMP FEESResident Furbearer Hunting or Trapping. 45.00Resident Youth Furbearer Hunting or Trapping(Under 17 years). 6.00All Resident Furbearer Hunting or Trapping licenses are available from licenseselling agents, Department Regional Offices and Cheyenne Headquarters.Nonresident Furbearer Hunting or Trapping(Adult and Youth). 249.00Nonresident Furbearer Hunting or Trapping licenses are available onlythrough Cheyenne Headquarters.Resident Fur Dealer. 54.00Nonresident Fur Dealer . 285.00Resident and Nonresident Fur Dealer licenses are available only throughCheyenne Headquarters.License to Capture Furbearing Animals forDomestication. 21.00License to Capture Furbearing Animals for Domestication are available only throughCheyenne Headquarters.Resident Pioneer Hunting or Trapping . 22.00NEW TRAPPINGWEBSITE AVAILABLEFor up-to-date information onfurbearing animal hunting or trappingvisit wgfd.wyo.gov/TrappingStop poachingREPORT WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS! HELP US STAND WATCHYou may be eligible for a reward of up to 5,000 for information leading to thearrest and conviction of a wildlife violator.Submit Tip Online:wgfd.wyo.govText keyword WGFD andmessage to TIP411 (847-411)2 o.gov
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTORState of WyomingGovernorThank you to today's trapperBy Brian Nesvik, Game and Fish DirectorDear Hunters and Trappers,Trapping in 2021 looks a little bit different than it did in the 1800s. While thepractice isn’t as widespread in the West as it was centuries ago, it's the traditionand outdoor experience that motivates many men and women to continuetrapping today. For some, it’s a pastime and a way to spend time outside or a hobbyto pass down to the next generation. For others, it’s a business and a way of life.Trapping is also a valuable tool for predator management on-the-ground that manyin our state need to protect livestock and agricultural operations. For these reasons,the heritage remains important to Wyoming, and that’s why it’s a right codified in theWyoming constitution.As with hunting and fishing, trapping is regulated by the Wyoming state statutesand Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulations. This book covers the rules fortrapping or hunting furbearers -- mink, bobcat, muskrat, weasel, badger, marten andbeaver. This year, we’ve redesigned this furbearer brochure to offer more informationfor trappers, including pertinent information and best practices. We hope thesechanges help the modern trapper to stay informed and to practice their craft on ashared landscape in a responsible way.Over the centuries, trapping has evolved. Trappers today are held to higher ethicsand standards than ever before in Wyoming. The practice is often scrutinized and Gameand Fish wants to thank trappers for your willingness to follow best managementpractices, for trapping responsibly and for placing traps in areas with low potentialfor conflicts with other uses. Over the last several years, you’ve engaged in thoughtfulconversations about trapping with people who don’t always agree, and have reachedsome notable consensus about how to share the outdoors. That’s been hard butgood work for Wyoming. With your continued respect for other recreational uses, andcooperation by other users, trapping will remain a viable tool for wildlife managementand can help more people understand why it remains important in Wyoming.wgfd.wyo.govMark GordonWyoming Game and Fish CommissionPresidentPeter Dube, BuffaloVice PresidentGay Lynn Byrd, DouglasRalph Brokaw, ArlingtonRichard Ladwig, Manville Kenneth Roberts, Kemmerer Mark Jolovich, TorringtonAshlee Lundvall, PowellWyoming Game and Fish DepartmentDirectorBrian NesvikDeputy DirectorJohn KennedyDeputy DirectorAngi BruceChief Game Warden/Chief of Wildlife DivisionRick KingChief of FisheriesAlan OsterlandChief of Fiscal ServicesGreg PhippsChief of Services DivisionEric WiltangerRegional officesCheyenne Headquarters(307) 777-4600(800) 842-1934Casper Region(307) 473-3400(800) 233-8544Cody Region(307) 527-7125(800) 654-1178Green River Region(307) 875-3223(800) 843-8096Jackson Region(307) 733-2321(800) 423-4113Lander Region(307) 332-2688(800) 654-78625400 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 820063030 Energy Lane, Casper, WY 826042820 State Highway 120, Cody, WY 82414351 Astle, Green River, WY 82935420 North Cache, Jackson, WY 83001Mailing Address:P.O. Box 67, Jackson, WY 83001260 Buena Vista, Lander, WY 82520Laramie Region(307) 745-40461212 South Adams Street, Laramie WY 82070 (800) 843-2352Pinedale Region(307) 367-4353(800) 452-9107Sheridan Region(307) 672-7418(800) 331-9834432 East Mill Street, Pinedale, WY 82941Mailing Address:P.O. Box 850, Pinedale, WY 82941700 Valley View Drive, Sheridan, WY 82801Wyoming Hunting Regulations 3
2021/22 IMPORTANT HUNTING/TRAPPING INFORMATIONDisclaimer.The following sections are a condensedsummary of applicable wildlife laws and other importantinformation. This summary is in no way intended to alterthe content or statutory intent of those laws. If you haveany questions regarding the precise language, you canview a copy of the State Statutes (Title 23) and WyomingGame and Fish Commission (Commission) Regulations,available at the Cheyenne Headquarters, DepartmentRegional Offices, the Department website or consult thefollowing websites: https://soswy.state.wy.us or https://wyoleg.gov.Access on Lands Enrolled in the Department’sAccess Yes Walk-In Areas or Hunter ManagementAreas. Access to private lands enrolled in the AccessYes Walk-In or Hunter Management Program is grantedonly for the species of wildlife and for the time periodsspecified in Department publications. Travel by motorizedvehicle is prohibited, except as otherwise stated. Hunterswishing to use enrolled private lands for any other wildlifespecies, activity or time period must obtain permissionfrom the landowner or person in charge of the property.Department publications or signs shall serve as officialregulations of the Commission and may advise of additional restrictions. The landowner or person in charge ofthe property may grant permission for motorized vehicletravel contrary to that specified by Department signs orpublications.Access Yes Program. The Access Yes Program was established to help address the difficulties of finding placesto hunt and fish. Sportspersons can voluntarily donate anywhole dollar amount to Access Yes when they purchase orapply for a license or any time throughout the year on theDepartment website. Contributions are used to secure additional public hunting and fishing access on private landsand inaccessible public lands. Donating helps support theprogram, but does not provide or imply access to all private or inaccessible public lands in Wyoming.Artificial Light for Hunting Prohibited; Exception. No person shall take any wildlife with the aid of orby using any artificial light or lighting device except thatpredators may be taken with the aid of an artificial lightor lighting device by:(i) A public officer authorized to and conducting predator control;(ii) A landowner, resident manager or person with thelandowner’s or a resident manager’s written permission to take predators, on land under the landowner’scontrol for the protection of their property.It is prima facie evidence of a violation if a personuses an artificial light in an area that may be inhabited by wildlife while having in their possession andcontrol any device for taking wildlife. This shall notprohibit the hunting on foot of raccoon with the aid of ahandlight, provided the hunter is accompanied by a raccoon hunting dog and, if hunting on private land(s), hasthe written permission of the landowner or their agent.Baiting Restrictions. No person shall take a game animal, game bird or game fish and use any part thereof forbait to hunt, trap or poison any wildlife of Wyoming.Check Stations. Every hunter, angler or trapper entering or leaving areas for which check stations have beenestablished shall stop and report at the check station if thecheck station is on the hunter’s, angler’s or trapper’s routeto and from the hunting or fishing area. This requirementapplies even if the person does not have wildlife inpossession. Game and fish licensees shall produce theirlicenses, permits or stamps as required by regulation forany game animals, game birds, fish or furbearing animalsin their possession for inspection upon request by any authorized department representative.Closed Areas. All areas within the state of Wyomingnot opened by specific order of the Commission shall beWhat you post matters!In today’s world, our only communication with others is often through the photos they view of us online.This means that a lot of responsibility comes with the photos we take and post to online platforms. Yoursuccessful trap photos can be used without your permission or give non-trappers a negative view ofregulated trapping. Keep in mind the considerations below when taking photos while on the trap line. Don’t post photos of animals in traps on social media Move the animal away from the dispatch site into a well-lit natural area free from blood Place the animal in a respectful manner. Straddling the animal, holding it by its hind legs or aroundthe chest may look disrespectful Wipe any blood from the animal, place its tongue in its mouth, and firmly close the jaw4 2021closed to the taking of game animals, furbearing animalsand game birds.Conservation Stamp. Persons exercising privilegesunder a furbearer hunting or trapping license are not required to obtain a conservation stamp.Credit Card Fee. The Department shall charge a twopoint five percent (2.5%) credit card processing fee of thecost of any license, permit, stamp, tag, preference pointor competitive raffle chance applied for or purchased bythe use of a credit card.Terms and Definitions:“Accompanied by a mentor” means being directlysupervised at all times by a mentor who is within sightand direct voice contact.“Artificial light or lighting device” means any manmade light or lighting device which projects a visible lightoutside the device, or any electronic device that providesan enhanced ability to see in the dark.“Designated road” means an established roadmarked with a white arrow sign.“Domicile” means that place where a person has histrue, fixed and permanent home to which whenever theperson is temporarily absent the person has the intentionof returning. To prove domicile as required by WyomingStatutes § 23-1-102 and § 23-1-107 a person shall be ableto establish that he: physically resides in Wyoming; hasmade his permanent home in Wyoming; is not residingin Wyoming for a special or temporary purpose; and, hasabandoned his domicile in all other states, territories orcountries.“Electronic Licensing Service (ELS)” means theDepartment’s Electronic Draw Application System, Internet Point of Sale System and Online Internet Sales Systemused by the Department, license selling agents and thepublic to apply for or purchase licenses, permits, stamps,tags and preference points.“Established road” means any road or trail that hasbeen graded or constructed to carry motor vehicles or onwhich repeated legal motor vehicle traffic has createdwell-defined tracks.“Furbearing animal” means badger, beaver, bobcat,marten, mink, muskrat or weasel.“License” means a document issued by the Department,through the authority of the Commission, to a qualified individual that grants certain privileges to take fish or wildlife in accordance with statutory or regulatory provisions.“Mentee” means a person who has received special authorization from the Department to take wildlife and whohas not received a certificate of competency and safety inthe use and handling of firearms.“Mentor” means a person who is at least eighteen (18)years of age, can demonstrate they have a certificate ofcompetency and safety in the use and handling of firearms, possesses a valid Wyoming hunting license and isdirectly supervising not more than one (1) mentee, otherthan immediate family members, at a time while in thefield.“Nonresident” means any person not a resident.“Orders” means orders, rules and regulations.“Permit” means a document that authorizes a licenseholder to carry out activities not authorized by the licenseitself.wgfd.wyo.gov
2021/22 IMPORTANT HUNTING/TRAPPING INFORMATION“Predacious bird” means English sparrow and starling.“Predatory animal” means coyote, jackrabbit, porcupine, raccoon, red fox, skunk or stray cat. “Predatoryanimal” also means gray wolf located outside the WolfTrophy Game Management Area and Seasonal Wolf TrophyGame Management Area as described in Wyoming Statute§ 23-1-101 (a) (xii) (B) (l) and (ll).“Protected animal” means black-footed ferret, fisher,lynx, otter, pika or wolverine.“Protected bird” means migratory birds as defined andprotected under federal law.“Public road or highway” (except as otherwise provided) means any roadway that is open to vehicular travelby the public. The road surface, the area between the fences on a fenced public road or highway, and an area thirty(30) feet perpendicular to the edge of the road surface onan unfenced public road or highway shall be consideredthe public road or highway. Two-track trails on public landsare not public roads.“Real Time Video Photography Equipment”means any video or photography equipment capable ofutilizing cellular or Wi-Fi technology to transmit images orvideo for remote viewing.“Resident” means a United States citizen or legal alienwho is domiciled in Wyoming for at least one (1) full yearimmediately preceding making application for any resident game and fish license, preference point, permit ortag, shall not have claimed residency in any other state,territory or country for any other purpose during that one(1) year period, and meets the requirements specified inWyoming Statutes § 23-1-102 and § 23-1-107.“Small game animal” means cottontail rabbit orsnowshoe hare, and fox, grey and red squirrels.“Take” means hunt, pursue, catch, capture, shoot, fish,seine, trap, kill, or possess, or attempt to hunt, pursue,catch, capture, shoot, fish, seine, trap, kill or possess.“Trapping” or “Trap” means the taking of a furbearing or predatory animal by trap, snare or with a firearm orarchery equipment.DEPARTMENT WEBSITE. https://wgfd.wyo.govDISABLED HUNTER INFORMATION. Contact the Cheyenne Headquarters or any Department Regional Office forspecific information.Domestication of Furbearing Animals. Any residentperson who desires to capture furbearing animals fordomestication or propagation shall apply for a license tocapture furbearing animals for the purpose of domestication or propagation. The Department may issue the licenseunder such restrictions as it deems necessary. Applicationsare available from the Cheyenne Headquarters, Department Regional Offices and game wardens. A person mustalso apply for and receive a Chapter 10 Regulation Permitfor Importation, Possession, Confinement, Transportation,Sale and Disposition of Live Wildlife prior to capturing andpossessing any live furbearing animal.Duplicate and Replacement License Issued UponLoss or Destruction of Original; Purchase andFees. When any license issued has been lost or destroyed,the licensee may secure a duplicate of the original licensefrom the Cheyenne Headquarters, any Department Regional Office or designated license selling agents. A duplicatelicense shall be issued if the original license contained acarcass coupon. A replacement license shall be issued ifWHAT ARE TRAPPING BEST MANAGEMENTPRACTICES AND WHY SHOULD I USETHEM WHILE TRAPPING?Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) are carefullyresearched recommendations designed by trappers andothers to ensure animals are humanely captured. Wyoming trappers have been and continue to be involved withthe BMP process for decades. Developed as part of thelargest trap research effort ever conducted, BMPs featurethe latest scientific information about trapping techniquesand equipment, along with practical advice from experienced trappers and wildlife biologists.BMPs can assist you in your furbearer harvest and decrease your incidental catches. By utilizing them, you canrest assured that you are using the most effective, selective, affordable, and humane traps.the original license did not contain a carcass coupon.The licensee may secure a replacement license at theCheyenne Headquarters, Department Regional Offices orfrom ELS agents. The Department shall charge a fee of seven dollars ( 7) for each duplicate or replacement license.Emergency Closures. The Commission may institute anemergency closure by regulation to shorten the season inany area at any time if a harvest quota is reached or if anemergency arises warranting the closure. Should a closurebecome necessary after the season opens, no refunds willbe given for unused licenses.Federal Shipping and Export Requirements. If youship any wildlife parts or products out of the United States,federal regulations require that you complete a “Declaration of Importation or Exportation of Fish and Wildlife”(Form #3-177), available online at n addition, if you ship hides, skulls, meat or products ofblack bears, wolves, lynx, bobcats or river otters out ofthe United States, you must first obtain a Federal CITESpermit. These forms are only available through U.S. Fishand Wildlife offices.Fur Dealer Licenses and Tagging Requirements.Any person engaging in the business of buying, collecting,selling or shipping raw furs, other than hides from clovenhoof big game animals, shall apply for and obtain a resident fur dealer’s license or a nonresident fur dealer’s license prior to commencing the business. Fur dealer licenses are only available from the Cheyenne Headquarters.Residents shall apply through their local game warden.Nonresidents must apply through the Cheyenne Headquarters. Licensed fur dealers may receive, purchase, store,handle, ship, sell, transport and deliver hides from clovenhoof big game animals within or outside the state withouttagging the hides with a Wyoming interstate game tag solong as proper records are kept. Fur dealers bringing hidesor furs lawfully obtained in another state into Wyomingshall not remove any tag, tattoo, mark or other identification attached to or placed upon the hide or fur by theauthorities of another state.Harvest Survey. Each year a request to participate inthe harvest survey is sent to a sample of trappers. Yourreply provides critical data that Department wardens andwgfd.wyo.govBMPs help trappers by showing the public their commitment to improving or maintaining the efficiency and selectivity of their traps while ensuring animal welfare.BMPs are developed individually by species and can beseen here: er-managementBMPs help ensure access tointernational fur markets.Without their inception in 1997,international fur trade for trappers in the United States wouldhave been eliminated.biologists use for management purposes. Your time andassistance is much appreciated.Hunter Safety/Mentor Program; Exemption. Except as otherwise provided, no person born on or afterJanuary 1, 1966, may take wildlife by the use of firearmson land other than that of their own family, unless thatperson can demonstrate they have obtained a certificateof competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms. Attendance and successful completion of a huntersafety course offered by an association or governmentalagency approved by the Commission satisfies the requirements of this section. A person who has not received a certificate of competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms mayapply to the Department for a special authorization to takewildlife with the use of a firearm while being accompaniedby a person acting as a mentor. A special authorizationshall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issue andshall be in the possession of the recipient at all times whilein the field. The application process may be completed onthe Department website. Any person acting as a mentorshall be at least eighteen (18) years of age, shall possessa valid hunting license, and shall demonstrate they havesuccessfully completed a hunter safety course. A mentorshall not provide supervision for more than one (1) personat a time in the field, other than immediate family members, and shall accompany the mentee at all times to provide constant supervision. A person under fourteen (14) years of age who has not yetreceived a hunter safety certificate may take small gameand game birds while being accompanied by a mentor whopossesses a valid Wyoming small game or game bird license and conservation stamp. Any active member, honorably discharged past member or veteran of the armed forces of the United Statesand any active or retired Wyoming peace officer qualifiedpursuant to Wyoming Statutes § 9-1-701 through § 9-1-707may obtain an exemption from the hunter safety requirement. Hunter safety exemption applications are availableat the Cheyenne Headquarters and Department Regional Offices. This hunter safety exemption is not valid forhunting elk within Grand Teton National Park (Hunt Areas75 and 79), or for persons acting as mentors in the HunterMentor Program.Wyoming Hunting Regulations 5
2021/22 IMPORTANT HUNTING/TRAPPING INFORMATIONSEE RECOMMENDED TRAPTYPES BY ANIMAL furbearer-managementLicense Expiration. Furbearing animal hunting or trapping licenses expire on the date indicated on the license.one person onto or across the enclosed lands of anotherwithout the permission of both persons.License Fraud Prohibited; Invalidation by Improper Fees. Department licenses, permits, stamps,tags or coupons shall not be altered by anyone otherthan authorized Department personnel. No license, permit, stamp, tag or coupon shall be transferred or used forthe purpose of taking wildlife except by the individual towhom it was issued and therein named and while in thatindividual’s possession. No individual shall take or attemptto take any wildlife using another individual’s license, permit, stamp, tag or coupon. Any license, permit, stamp, ortag shall not be valid unless the proper fees have beenreceived by the Department. Any Wyoming Game and Fishlaw enforcement officer may seize as evidence any license, permit, stamp or tag that was obtained in violationof Commission regulations or Wyoming statutes. Use any dog to hunt, run or harass any big or trophygame animal, protected animal or furbearing animal except as otherwise provided by statute. The Commissionshall regulate the use of dogs to take mountain lions andbobcats during hunting or trapping seasons.Permission to Hunt, Fish, Trap or Collect Antlersor Horns. No person shall enter upon the private property of any person to hunt, fish, trap or collect antlers orhorns without the permission of the landowner or personin charge of the property. The license must bear the signature of the landowner, lessee or agent of the landowneron whose private property the person is accessing or otherlegitimate proof as evidence that permission to hunt hasbeen granted.Precautions When Hunting in Areas Occupied byGrizzly Bears. Hunters and anglers are reminded grizzlybears occupy many areas in and around the Bridger-Teton,Shoshone and Caribou-Targhee National Forests in northwest Wyoming. The Department strongly recommends individuals working and recreating in these areas take precautions, including carrying bear pepper spray, to avoidconflicts with grizzly bears. Information about humansafety and proper storage of food and other attractantsin occupied grizzly habitat is available from the CheyenneHeadquarters, Department Regional Offices, U.S. ForestService Offices and the Department website. Regulationsconcerning food/carcass storage in occupied grizzly habitat can be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service. Reportall conflicts with grizzly bears to the nearest DepartmentRegional Office. Use any aircraft with the intent to spot, locate and aidin the taking of any game animal from August 1 throughJanuary 31 of the following calendar year. Additionally, noperson shall use any aircraft to spot, locate and aid in thetaking of any trophy game animal during any open season. Nothing in this Section shall apply to the operation ofan aircraft in a usual manner where there is no attempt orintent to locate any game animal, such as aircraft used forthe sole purpose of passenger transport. Take and leave, abandon or allow the edible portion ofany game bird, game fish or game animal (except trophygame animal) to intentionally or needlessly go to waste. Transport illegally taken wildlife across state lines; suchtransportation is a violation of the Federal Lacey Act. Harass, pursue, hunt, shoot or kill any Wyoming wildlifeexcept predatory animals with, from or by use of any flying machine, automotive vehicle, trailer, motor-propelledwheeled vehicle or vehicle designed for travel over snow.The Commission may exempt handicapped hunters fromany of these provisions. It is also illegal to shoot waterfowl from a boat under power or sail.Snare Break-Aways And Loop Size. All snares usedfor furbearing or predatory animals shall be equippedwith a break-away device (i.e., shear pin, J hook, S hook,cable ferrule, etc.) located at the junction of the snarelock and the terminal end of the cable and shall release attwo hundred ninety-five (295) pounds of pressure or less;and the loop size shall not exceed twelve (12) inches in diameter measured from side to side (see diagram below).For information about staying safe in bear country,visit the Department bear wise page: ayFridaySaturday5Snare setor checkedMonday678Notnecessary tocheck duringthe rest ofthe weekThursday91011Sunday12131415Requiredto checksnares ona day thisweek161718If checkedon the18th thisprovidesa 13-daycheckperiodTrap And Snare Identification; Exposed Bait;Confiscation; And Landowner Inspection, Removal, Release And Reporting. All traps and snaresused for furbearing or predatory animals shall be permanently marked or tagged with the name and address ofthe owner or the identification number assigned to theowner by the Department. A trap or snare licensed underthis section shall not be set within thirty (30) feet of anyexposed bait or carcass over five (5) pounds in weight. Asused in this subsection, “exposed bait or carcass” meansthe meat or viscera of any part of a mammal, bird or fish,excluding dried bones. All non-target wildlife caught inany trap or snare shall, upon discovery, be removed immediately by the owner. Any trap or snare found in thefield not bearing the name and address of the owner ofthe trap or snare or the identfication number assignedby the Department to the owner of the trap or snare maybe confiscated by any employee of the Department. Anylandowner or their agent may inspect any trap or snareset on their property, may remove the trap or snare andmay release or remove from the trap or snare any wildlifethat has not been taken lawfully. The landowner or theiragent shall notify the Department of any such wildlife,excluding predatory animals, as soon as practicably possible after removing the wildlife from a trap or snare.Trapping Information Resources. For more information about trapping, please visit the North American TrapperEducation
Trap/Snare Check Periods. 12 Trap and Snare Specifications . Bobcat Harvest Log. 15 CONTENTS 1-877-WGFD-TIP You may be eligible for a reward of up to 5,000 for information leading to the . the written permission of the landowner or their agent