I'm moving to wyoming next month for a new job and was looking for any and all helpful info on getting started hunting in wyoming. Thanks for y'all's help.
New to wyoming
- Thread starter Cwhi790
- Start date
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
That is not a very nice first post…ha ha. 
I would love to live in Wyoming
The first thing I would check, and I mean check this Monday, is if you can apply for hunts as a resident. The deadline for residents to apply is June 3. In most states you have to have been a resident for 6 months before applying as a resident. I'm not sure about Wyoming.
The urgency to check on this is that the non-resident applications for deer and antelope are due on March 15. If you are not eligible to apply as a resident, and want to have the chance to hunt one of the better deer or antelope areas, you may need to get your application in this week.
As a resident you will be able to hunt general deer and general elk seasons.
Antelope is done through a drawing. You will need to be drawn to hunt the better units. Some of the lesser units will have leftover tags available on a first come first served basis. Leftover antelope tags tend to be in areas with poor public access. Your draw odds for antelope are far better as a resident, and lower tag fees, so again check if you are eligible to apply this year.
I would love to live in Wyoming The first thing I would check, and I mean check this Monday, is if you can apply for hunts as a resident. The deadline for residents to apply is June 3. In most states you have to have been a resident for 6 months before applying as a resident. I'm not sure about Wyoming.
The urgency to check on this is that the non-resident applications for deer and antelope are due on March 15. If you are not eligible to apply as a resident, and want to have the chance to hunt one of the better deer or antelope areas, you may need to get your application in this week.
As a resident you will be able to hunt general deer and general elk seasons.
Antelope is done through a drawing. You will need to be drawn to hunt the better units. Some of the lesser units will have leftover tags available on a first come first served basis. Leftover antelope tags tend to be in areas with poor public access. Your draw odds for antelope are far better as a resident, and lower tag fees, so again check if you are eligible to apply this year.
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robsev
Member
In Wyoming you need to be a resident for a year before you can apply. Deadline for residents is May 31 so make sure you establish residency before then. I moved here 4 years ago and I found out it's really hard to get into the hunting community. Seems like here anyway you mention that you're a hunter and people shy away because everyone has their secret spots. Maybe it's just Gillette, but like I said, I've been here 4 years and I found out everything I know on my own, and I hunt on my own. There are some good places to hunt near Casper. The best antelope and deer areas I've found so far are near Casper.
OregonJim
Very Active Member
Stop by the new member thread and introduce yourself.
There is also a thread on how you picked your handle.
Also later in the year you should consider purchasing a preference point if they will let you.
You will be way behind the curve for premium tags but there a lot of good opportunities that you can get in on after acquiring a couple of points. Like UH said you get to hunt general season tags which can be better than some of the limited quota.
Based on the above: I guess one option might be to go nonres this year and look at a leftover or reduced tag in July.
The folks on here are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful.
There is also a thread on how you picked your handle.
Also later in the year you should consider purchasing a preference point if they will let you.
You will be way behind the curve for premium tags but there a lot of good opportunities that you can get in on after acquiring a couple of points. Like UH said you get to hunt general season tags which can be better than some of the limited quota.
Based on the above: I guess one option might be to go nonres this year and look at a leftover or reduced tag in July.
The folks on here are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful.
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Topgun 30-06
Banned
The OP will have to apply as a nonresident this year, as well as next year until he has actaully been a Wyoming resident residing in the state for a full year. Then he can apply as a resident for the 2016 draws, but until then he's going to be paying the big bucks for tags like all the rest of us NRs. They also watch stuff like that very closely, are tied into other state network, and have busted a number of people trying to buy tags in more than one state claiming to be a resident.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Welcome- Best advice is as follows;
1- Change you driver's license now so you can apply as a resident in 2015.
2- Use every free minute available enjoying the state...
3- Occasionally stop in small town bars and buy locals a drink- you will have all the advice you need.
4- Hunt this fall on left over doe/fawn and cow tags. Buy the non-resident ones as it's NOT worth the risk of losing your hunting privileges for three to 5 years to save a few bucks. They are still fairly cheap even for the non-residents.
5- In a few years when your an expert out there, help all your friends on Eastman's with their hunts out there...lol
Thanks guys for all the advice, all of the posts are very helpful! How do you go about choosing a region to hunt? Just pick one randomly that's close to home? Is it worth trying to hire an outfitter or are you just about as good off saving the money and trying it on your own? Thanks again for all the input.
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Pretty hard for him to follow the law to get a Wyoming drivers license if he doesn't have a permanent residence there yet for said license!
gonhunting247
Veteran member
- Jan 21, 2014
- 1,216
- 797
Wow, what an awesome place to be moving to! Enjoy every minute of it! I've hunted Antelope 53 and 98 as well as Reg. W for deer, not sure if any of that will help or not. Feel free to ask and good luck. Have a blast!
Hilltop
Veteran member
The suggestion was to switch residency in time to qualify for residency in the 2015 season. Thanks for the clarification.
Musket Man
Veteran member
mnhunter
Active Member
The first things I would do are:
1. PM The one guy who responded to your post that has actually established residency in WY
2. day one in WY make a stop at the local game and fish office and ask them these same questions.
3. Contact the local Game Warden and introduce yourself as a new hunter in the area. I am a NR hunting in WY, and in a few areas have gotten to know the warden well enough that he will stop and BS if he sees me or my truck. Nobody knows the game or the landowners in your area better than these guys.
Good luck, I envy you.
1. PM The one guy who responded to your post that has actually established residency in WY
2. day one in WY make a stop at the local game and fish office and ask them these same questions.
3. Contact the local Game Warden and introduce yourself as a new hunter in the area. I am a NR hunting in WY, and in a few areas have gotten to know the warden well enough that he will stop and BS if he sees me or my truck. Nobody knows the game or the landowners in your area better than these guys.
Good luck, I envy you.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
You can get a WY driver license the day you move into WY. That will enable you to apply as a Res next year. Its not that difficult, aside from dealing with all the paperwork you need to bring to the DMV... Biggest thing is, if you were to go visit where your from DO NOT buy resident fishing or hunting license for next year, because then you will not be allowed to claim resident license in two states in the same year.
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Yep, he can still sneak in for next year as a resident if he establishes residency before 5/31. That will allow him to apply for resident licenses in 2015 since they have until 5/31, unlike the NR application deadline dates of 1/31 for elk and 3/15 for deer and antelope. Sorry for the confusion I probably created because I was thinking of the NR dates when I made that post saying he'd have to wait until 2016.