Penalty for hunting in wilderness as a non resedent?

hoshour

hoshour

Veteran member
May 31, 2012
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North Carolina
www.CornerstoneInvestment.com
I think the law would be overturned if someone wanted to sue, especially since any resident with a license can be a "guide" which shows that the safety idea is just a cover. Of course, you would have to file in WY and that might be tough but of course these days people shop for judges. There would still likely be plenty of business for good outfitters. Not that many guys are up for a wilderness hunt.

Some people might say that because this involves nonresidents it is about interstate commerce and want to file in federal court, but I'm almost certain there was a decision setting aside the interstate commerce point when it comes to states setting their hunting regulations.
 
FitToHunt

FitToHunt

Active Member
Jan 15, 2015
248
6
Seattle, Washington, United States
It's all about $$$. Just like everything else. It's pretty sad that a normal guy who's looking to get off the beaten path and have a great hunting experience can't, unless they pay an extra $7000 for a guide. I'm gonna archery hunt WY this year. I wonder if the fine for hunting wilderness would be more than that price tag?
 
mntnguide

mntnguide

Very Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
980
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The mountains of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
There is plentiful National Forest in WY...all over the state...just because it isnt labeled wilderness doesnt mean you cant get away from everyone. Breaking the law just to say you hunted wilderness is more ridiculous than the law preventing you from going there.
 
go_deep

go_deep

Veteran member
Nov 30, 2014
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Wyoming
FitToHunt said:
It's all about $$$. Just like everything else. It's pretty sad that a normal guy who's looking to get off the beaten path and have a great hunting experience can't, unless they pay an extra $7000 for a guide. I'm gonna archery hunt WY this year. I wonder if the fine for hunting wilderness would be more than that price tag?
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The fine is $110, but then you can/will lose your tag/animal all your gear, possibly your mode of transportation and hunting privileges. I guess I'd just stay where I'm legally suppose to, but that's just me.
 
C

COLOelkman

Member
Mar 12, 2011
95
23
Lakewood, CO
From my observations and discussions with others (including outfitters) the NR wilderness rule has no justification. Because the Fed. Govt draws a line on a map and designates it wilderness only adds limitations on what can be done within that boundary. So I'd argue that much of the national forest or BLM is often no different relative to hazards, safety considerations, etc. I think the only chance of even having the rule looked at would be to form a petition/drive to put before the WY legislators and get support from a variety of WY residents as well as NR's, sporting organizations, etc. Although I still doubt they'd listen, that's the only avenue I can think of that would be a formal way of letting our voices and concerns be heard. I have no idea as to how that could be done but I'm sure some more tech savy people could figure it out. Obviously because of the number of comments on this thread, it is a hot topic and one that a landslide majority disagree with the current law. Unfortunately because of politics and special interest groups, the result can be NOT good sensible laws.
 
Gr8bawana

Gr8bawana

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Aug 14, 2014
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mntnguide said:
There is plentiful National Forest in WY...all over the state...just because it isnt labeled wilderness doesnt mean you cant get away from everyone. Breaking the law just to say you hunted wilderness is more ridiculous than the law preventing you from going there.
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Just getting away from the roads whether it's wilderness or National forest gets you away from most other hunters. So it's just the fact that this non-res is not allowed do it without a guide not the actual hunting aspect of it that bothers him. Perhaps he should go hunt in a wilderness and pack in 10 miles and shoot a monster elk or deer to show the law didn't stop him and take the fine and loss of equipment and game just to prove a point.
 
mntnguide

mntnguide

Very Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
980
167
The mountains of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
Gr8bawana said:
Just getting away from the roads whether it's wilderness or National forest gets you away from most other hunters. So it's just the fact that this non-res is not allowed do it without a guide not the actual hunting aspect of it that bothers him. Perhaps he should go hunt in a wilderness and pack in 10 miles and shoot a monster elk or deer to show the law didn't stop him and take the fine and loss of equipment and game just to prove a point.
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im aware his point. .i am just saying, yes the law is stupid for a non-res; but unfortunately it is a law, breaking it won't "show" anyone anything. game wardens around here take killing an animal illegally pretty serious, and if you go into the wilderness and do such, according to law; you have illegally killed an animal, which as far as i grew up knowing, is called poaching. so im saying there are hundreds of thousands of acres of national forest to go kill bulls on, plenty that hold big bulls as well! Don't hunt WY if you want to break the law, whether stupid or not, you are no longer an ethical hunter if you are willing to break a game and fish law
 
T

Tim McCoy

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2014
1,855
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Oregon
coastalarms said:
Good grief, read the whole thread and here's my thought:

I think we have better odds of solving the dilemma of what is the best all around hunting cartridge than this :p
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My vote is we have better odds of world peace...than solving either this or a cartridge debate.
 
R

Rockydog

New Member
May 9, 2011
5
0
So does anyone have actual evidence of a fine be given or equipment/animal being confiscated? Have never read about it really happening except back in the 80s
 
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