Do's and don'ts for out of state hunters.

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I plan on making my first ever trip to Wyoming this fall? Never being with in 500 miles of the state before and never hunting out West in my life. I would like to know what the things I should be expected not to do or do as a visitor to the state. I know this may sound like a strange question. I just don't know the hunting edicate of Western hunting.
I do read hunting regulations and follow all know regulations. I find sometimes all the rules are not written or very clear. There are also thing that are legal but not appropriate behavior. So let me know some common mistakes.

This is important to me because I have been a volunteer hunter education instructor for 20 years. I must resign if I ever receive a violation.

Example: I went to Minnesota on a fishing trip last year. Another fisherman was kind enough to let me know only one pole at a time was allowed in the water. Being from Arkansas where some guys fish with 6 to 8 at a time. I had read the regulations and never saw the rule.

 

[siwulat]

I'd say knowing where you are and being 110% sure you are on public is one at the top of my list. Out there a lot of the public land isn't clearly marked like it is other places. Know where you are and stay where you are supposed to be.

 

[Hilltop]

Give people a lot of room... be it camping, hunting, fishing or whatever. Many people from highly populated areas don't realize when they camp 50 FEET from someone in Wyoming they are crowding them.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Stay on public roads. Just because there is a road does not mean it is public. Look for highways, forest service roads, and county roads.

 

[Horniac]

Here are a few things I look for when going out of state;

1) Do you need a ORV sticker for an ATV/UTV? Wyoming yes.
2) Do you need any special stamps, etc. besides your license and tag? In Wyoming you need a conservation license & additional archery license/stamp if bowhunting.
3) Hunter orange requirements? WY yes.
4) Tagging requirements (i.e. on carcass or antlers, etc)
5) Evidence of sex requirements
6) Edible meat definition (i.e. Rib and neck meat in addition to quarters, backstraps, and tenderloins? )
7) Legal weapon definition especially if hunting with bow or muzzleloader (i.e. Fixed or mechanical broadheads legal, sabots, pelletized powder legal, copper required, etc)
8) Antler point restrictions/definition of legal animal for the tag you are hunting
9) Regulations concerning hunting or camping on state land (blue shaded land on maps)
10) Are you allowed to take vehichles off-road for game retrieval?
11) Review NF MVUMaps to see what roads are open and closed and where dispersed camping is allowed along open roads
12) Laws or regulations concerning minimum distance you must camp from water sources
13) Know and mark your hunt unit boundaries on a map and always know where you are when hunting in relation to unit boundaries (a GPS with the landowner chip is invaluable IMO) or buy a map that has the unit boundaries outlined.
14) Review the trespass laws for the state. I do my best to avoid all private land but it is good to know the law just in case (i.e. is corner hopping legal?)
15) If bowhunting can you have a firearm in your possession?
16) Laws concerning the use of scents/baits
17) Do you need to have a hunter safety card in your possession while hunting?

There are always a few quirky regulations you need to watch out for in some states (i.e. CO) but most regulations are pretty similar from state to state with just a few tweaks here and there...

Have fun and good luck!

Horniac

 

[Horsenhike]

Make sure you have your own equipment and supplies squared away so you are not left in an emergency situation that someone else has to get you out of. Vehicle, food, proper clothing, navigation, etc. The list goes on and on.

Get and keep yourself together. Big, big, place that has some insane weather events. Stuff that being from Arkansas you can't even imagine. The better prepared you are the less of a chance it will turn into a critical situation.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

Give people a lot of room... be it camping, hunting, fishing or whatever. Many people from highly populated areas don't realize when they camp 50 FEET from a someone in Wyoming they are crowding them.

I understand that one. When I was in Minnesota fishing. I was the only one in the camp that caught limits of walleye. This was on a large lake. The next day I had 6 boats in a circle around me with in 30 yards. They were nice guys, but I didn't drive 16 hours to a place in the middle of no where to have other boats on top of me.

 

[Againstthewind]

Some really good stuff here. I might write some down, too. The space thing is a big unwitten one I think. As a hunter education guy, you probably are good at compass, map, or gps stuff, but it seems like I run into some people lost occasionally. Be prepared for 100 miles between gas stations. Also make sure you honk for the cattle guard trolls, hold your breath and lift up your feet for tunnel trolls, stop in Farson for ice cream, need to try Rocky Mountain oysters at least once. Probably have them in Arkansas, too, not sure on that one, don't look at the guys peeing on the side of the road (probably me), better like country or bring your own music there are not many other stations in some places. That's all I could think of.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I have tried salt water oysters, but never fresh water ones. I did not care much for the salt water ones. I might like the fresh water ones better. The only tunnels we hold our breath on all go under water. I almost pass out every time we go through Mobile, Alabama.

 

[RICMIC]

I have tried salt water oysters, but never fresh water ones. I did not care much for the salt water ones. I might like the fresh water ones better. The only tunnels we hold our breath on all go under water. I almost pass out every time we go through Mobile, Alabama.

I guess that you could say that Rocky Mt. Oysters are fresh water. The bulls have to drink something, don't they?

 

[nv-hunter]

1)Wave to the people you pass with a smile, people out west tend to be friendly.

2)Always stop and ask if folks are ok if you think they are broke down, chances are they are fine but its a long way from nowhere out here and just checking on someone may save their life. ( see tip 1 and as simple as you all ok ? Got water or someone on the way yet?)

3)Extra tires x2 and water

4) Remember its public land and roll with the flow, there's always one jerk out there but the next guy might just tell you about the one he just can't get to or that spot that normally pays off for him but he's already tagged out.

5)Take the time to just enjoy the view! It makes tip one much easier to do.

 

[tim]

Do= look at the sheep
Don't= don't touch the sheep.

 

[nv-hunter]

Do= look at the sheep
Don't= don't touch the sheep.

Now that's funny there

 

[wy-tex]

Camo orange is legal too, you don't need an entire orange pumpkin suit.
If a local shares some info on an area they hunt don't come back with 4 friends next year to hunt that spot.That being said most of us don't mind helping out a fellow hunter with some local knowledge.
And yes most of us like some distance between our camps , but not all.
Try to not leave a carcass next to a road of any sort, 2 track BLM or forest service.
Bury your tp, stepping around a tree and finding a pile of it and what goes with it is not pleasant. Pack out your trash and try to leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.
Buy local if you can for supplies and food.

I've found most NR are very nice folks who are just looking for an enjoyable hunt and a chance at a decent animal. When we ask how it's going, we're not being nosey, just wondering if you're having any luck.

 

[mcseal2]

Always have extra gear/food/water in the vehicle. I just posted about this under the Daypack gear list post I started if you want to see my list. I like to be able to fit my plans to the hunt, not fit the hunt to my plans if that makes sense. Having the stuff at the truck or UTV lets me change my plans to stay overnight, weather a storm, pack in a spike camp, whatever. It gives me options I wouldn't have if all my stuff was in a hotel room or base camp.

If you do change your plans make sure to have a way to tell anyone who needs to know. Even if it's just leaving a note with your plans outside the vehicle in case something goes wrong.

The In reach or similar devices now are a pretty darn smart investment. On a solo hunt you can let someone at home know your plans, on a hunt with friends you can let your buddies know if plans change. Don't plan on cell service until you've identified places you have it. If those places are rare it's worth marking them on the GPS

If you use Onx maps have a way to charge your phone in your pack and learn to download maps and use airplane mode if the service is bad where you are. I like the system but it eats battery fairly quick.

Plan to be self sufficient, have a jumper pack in the vehicle, cell phone charger,12V air compressor, spare tires, plug kits, tire chains, spare serpentine belt and basic tools, decent jack, tow rope & log chain, etc. Plan to be able to handle most situations that may arise yourself. I have met some great people in Wyoming and so far been able to offer more help than I've needed but the day will come I'll find myself on the other end of that and hopefully will be able to find people to help me.

That's the ones that come to mind others haven't already mentioned.

 

[sigpros]

Take some time to enjoy the beauty of Wyoming. Heck my hunting buddy and spend a day or 2 just sight seeing every trip. Tons of neat things to see and just different landscapes. I'll be headed south to your state in a few weeks for a little campîng and relaxing. I love Arkansas can't wait to retire there

 

[Slugz]

Ask the question. No matter what it is, ask. Gotta communicate. There is always one guy at every trail head who has been there for many seasons. Seek him out. Give him coffee and whisky and become his friend. He will be the guy that helps you the most from being THAT guy we all talk about.

 

[EOHunter]

Bury your tp, stepping around a tree and finding a pile of it and what goes with it is not pleasant.

Good advice, however I would add, bury your TP and the crap that goes with with, not just the TP. If you bury the TP without burying the other stuff, you just hid the big white warning flag that there is something nasty around the tree!

 

[ore hunter]

also be aware of the Wyoming rule of no non-residents in wilderness areas without a guide,,,I know this is b s but its still a law somebody bribed somebody back in the day in Wyoming.

 

[go_deep]

What unit, and species you hunting?