WGFD to host public meetings
by Wyoming Game & Fish
December 25, 2008
(Cheyenne) - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will host a series of public meetings in January to discuss changes to Chapter 44 – Regulation for Issuance of Licenses, Permits, Stamps, Tags, Preference Points and Coupons.
The Game and Fish is proposing to eliminate the leftover big game license drawing process. Under the draft regulations, licenses not sold through the initial license draw would be sold through the department's point-of-sale system at license agents and regional offices and through the Internet. All licenses would be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
"Currently, any licenses leftover after the initial big game draw conducted in late June are made available through a second drawing, what we call the leftover license draw. This process requires interested hunters to complete a second application and the department to conduct a second random drawing," explains Rich Reynders, the Fiscal Division Chief for the Game and Fish.
Because of the time required to conduct the application process and drawing, hunters often don’t find out the status of their leftover license application until the first part of August. Many hunt areas open mid-August or early September. "This doesn't leave much time for hunters to plan and organize their early season hunts," said Reynders.
"Our goal with these regulation changes is to make the leftover licenses available in a more efficient and customer-friendly manner."
The draft regulations also provide for the sale conservation stamps through the Internet.
"The ability to purchase a conservation stamp online has been a request of hunters since the onset of the Internet Electronic Application System," said Reynders. "Purchasing a conservations stamp online allows a hunter to have all their paperwork in-hand, including a license and conservation stamp, prior to arriving in Wyoming for their hunt. It's a service that we want to offer as a convenience to sportsmen."
Other draft changes include clarifications for limited quota furbearing animal trapping permits and party applications for sandhill crane permits.
Meeting dates and locations are as follows:
January 14, 2009, 7:00pm Casper Casper Regional Office
January 20, 2009, 7:00 pm Green River Green River Regional Office
January 20, 2009, 7:00 pm Lander Lander Regional Office
January 20, 2009, 7:00 pm Laramie Laramie Regional Office
January 20, 2009, 4:00 pm Pinedale Pinedale Regional Office
January 20, 2009, 3:00 pm Sheridan Sheridan Regional Office
January 21, 2009, 7:00 pm Cody Park County Courthouse Barling Room
January 22, 2009, 7:00 pm Jackson Jackson Regional Office
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will take action on these regulations at their March 12-13, 2009 meeting in Casper.
Copies of the draft regulations can be obtained from the Game and Fish Casper Office. Written comments should be mailed to:
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Wildlife Division
ATTN: Regulations
3030 Energy Lane
Casper, WY 82605
Written comments must be received by the Game and Fish no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2009.
For more information contact: Rich Reynders, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, (307) 777-4517.
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